Lionel Messi has been declared BBC’s World Sports Star of the Year after leading his team Argentina to their third World Cup win after 36 years in Qatar. The honor confirmation came just a day after his team’s glorious triumph in the tournament on Sunday night.
The Lusail stadium saw a staggering 3-3 draw followed by a penalty where Argentina defeated the defending champions 4-2.
Messi named BBC’s sports personality of the year
Messi and Argentina fans all over the globe were anxiously looking forward to this tournament as the last chance for their idol to win the championship. The previous three attempts didn’t turn out to be in his favor.
It was a historic moment for the fans and Messi himself to lift the World Cup for the first time in 36 years after Diego Maradona’s sensational display in 1986.
BBC said the award is given to someone who has ‘achieved the most notable sporting success on the world stage during the course of the year.’
In his scintillating career that records 793 goals and 7 Ballon d’Or, this is the first time Messi has received this award. He is the fifth footballer to receive this honor, introduced in 1960 under the initial name of Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.
The great Portuguese player Eusebio and Brazilian legend Pele are also the recipients, winning this in 1966 and 1970, respectively. In 2002, Ronaldo was awarded after guiding Brazil to a great win, and in 2014 Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded.
It was the Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore 2021 to receive this honor.
A dream come true for millions of fans
Seeing their favorite player lifting the World Cup has been a dream for millions of fans around the world, and with that coming true, people have gone ecstatic. Messi had earlier won the Copa America with Argentina and four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona.
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