Topics: Lionel Messi, Neymar, Pele, Ronaldo, Argentina, France, FIFA World Cup
Rivalry was set aside as three of the greatest Selecao players in history congratulated La Pulga after he finally lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy.

The greatness of Lionel Messi knows no boundaries. This could be seen after Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup win over France as fans, players, and legends from around the globe gathered together to congratulate the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

The 35-year-old started yesterday's final knowing it was his last match in this competition. Victory over Les Bleus would make La Albiceleste the world champions for the third time in history and it would have also been the perfect end to an iconic career.

And unlike in 2014, La Pulga and Co. were able to pull it off this time. Leo scored twice while fellow Rosario homeboy Angel di Maria also got on the scoresheet, but a brilliant Kylian Mbappe hat-trick meant the game ended 3-3 and needed a penalty shootout. Here is where Emiliano Martinez stole the show, saving one and forcing an error from Tchouameni to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy.

After the game, many famous names took to social media to congratulate the South Americans, and Lionel Messi in particular, following their hard-fought triumph. In fact, three of the greatest Brazilian football players hailed Leo for his achievement despite the Selecao's long and bitter rivalry with La Albiceleste.

The first congratulatory message was the most obvious: Neymar, a close friend of Leo and his teammate at PSG, posted two simple yet touching words on Instagram. He wrote "Congrats, brother" with a lovely picture of Messi rubbing the World Cup trophy while holding the Golden Ball in his other hand.

The unforgettable Ronaldo Nazário also had kind words for Leo, with the 2002 World Cup winner, regarded by many as the greatest number nine to have played the game, hailing Argentina's Qatar 2022 success as the perfect farewell to the genius that is Messi.

"This guy's football throws any rivalry to the corner. I saw a lot of Brazilians - and people from all over the world - rooting for Messi in this electrifying final," O Fenômeno wrote on Twitter. 

"A farewell worthy of the genius who, far beyond being a World Cup star, captained an era.

"Congratulations Messi!"

And finally, we had the classy message from the big man himself: Pele. The three-time World Cup winner, who is currently in hospital, congratulated both the Barcelona legend for his remarkable feat and sent words of encouragement to Mbappe, who ended up on the losing side despite his three goals.

"Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way," Pelé wrote on Instagram. "Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved. My dear friend, Mbappé, scoring four goals in a final. What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport."

And it didn't stop there! Mario Gotze, the man who scored Germany's winning goal in the 2014 final victory over Argentina, even expressed his joy at seeing Leo lift the title.

The Ligue 1 superstar has revealed that he doesn't plan on retiring from Argentina and will continue his fairytale with the Albiceleste. However, with the victory over France being his final FIFA World Cup match, yesterday's roller-coaster showdown was the most befitting farewell.