Messi recalls 'crazy' Mbappe World Cup final hat-trick

The PSG forwards took center stage at the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar between Argentina and France.

Lionel Messi has said it was ‘crazy’ Kylian Mbappe didn’t win the World Cup final with France after scoring a hat-trick.

The World Cup went to Argentina instead, with Messi lifting the trophy for the first time in his career. The South Americans won 4-2 on penalties in the final after finishing 3-3 against France.

Messi scored twice in the showpiece event himself. However, in the dying moments of extra time, Mbappe forced the game into penalties with a late equalizer, becoming only the second player to score a World Cup final hat-trick in men’s football.

“It really was a breathtaking final. It was crazy how the match went,” Messi told PSG TV.

“Kylian scored three incredible goals, in a final! Not being able to be champion after that was crazy.

“But he’s already won it too, and he knows what it’s like to be world champion. So yes, it was a great final for the football world. And now it’s true that it’s nice to be able to play in the same team with him, and I hope we can do great things here in Paris.”

Mbappe and Messi will hope to keep PSG’s dream of a maiden Champions League title alive in Wednesday’s trip to Bayern Munich. The Ligue 1 leaders must overcome a 1-0 aggregate deficit in the second leg to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.