The Argentine Football Association has released a heartbreaking advertisement of a boy unwrapping the World Cup under the Christmas tree.
The video was tweeted by the Argentine Football Federation with the caption: “Thanks Papa Lionel! The most precious gift is already in the house. Congratulations to all Argentinian people!”
¡Gracias Papa Lionel! 🎅 El regalo más preciado ya está en casa 🏆
¡Felicidades para todo el pueblo argentino! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/lobbHa1hNR
— 🇦🇷 Squad Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) December 24, 2022
In the video, the wide-eyed young boy can be seen running down the stairs before being enchanted by a huge gift wrapped in red ribbons. He carefully unravels it and opens the box – only to be greeted with the glittering gold masterpiece that is the World Cup trophy. In disbelief, he picks up the trophy and exclaims “Gracias Papa Noel” before kissing it.
In Argentina, Santa Claus is known as Papa Noel, but it has been changed to greet the national team captain, Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi played a vital role in Argentina’s win at the World Cup in Qatar.
Messi was influential throughout the tournament in Qatar, becoming the first ever footballer to win the Player of the Tournament award twice.
The World Cup is a trophy that has eluded Messi throughout his career – including in 2014 when Argentina was beaten by Germany in Rio.
This year’s final went down as one of the best ever seen, with Messi scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot before Angel Di Maria doubled Argentina’s lead before the break.
And while it looked like the trophy was all but safe, French superstar Kylian Mbappé took the match to extra time with a late quick-fire brace.
During extra time, the PSG stars each scored again to take the game to penalties, but it was Messi’s Argentina who ultimately triumphed, in turn giving the country the best Christmas gift they could wish for.