'I'll never forget the year my dream came true': Messi pens emotional New Year tribute

Argentina skipper Lionel Messi signed off for 2022 by hailing the year when he won the World Cup as one he ‘will never be able to forget’.

The Argentine inspired his side to go all the way and beat the 2018 champions France to end the trophy drought.

The 35-year-old penned an emotional note, thanking his ‘wonderful family’ and friends for always supporting him and never letting him fall. Messi inspired Argentina to overcome the French challenge in the penalties 4-2 in the World Cup final in Qatar.

"Termina un ano que jamas podre olvidar. El sueno que siempre persegui por fin se cumplio. Pero eso no valdria tampoco nada si no fuera porque puedo compartirlo con una familia maravillosa, la mejor que se puede tener, y unos amigos que me apoyan siempre y no dejaron que me quedara en el piso cada vez que me cai. (A year ends that I will never be able to forget. The dream that I always pursued finally came true. But that wouldn't be worth anything either if it weren't for the fact that I get to share it with a wonderful family, the best one can have, and some friends who always support me and didn't let me stay on the floor every time I fell)," Messi said.

Messi also thanked his supporters, especially in Argentina, Paris and Barcelona, for following him and encouraging him.

"Tambien quiero tener un recuerdo muy especial para todas las personas que me siguen y me bancan, es increible poder compartir este camino con todos ustedes. Seria imposible llegar hasta donde llegue sin tanto aliento que recibi tanto de toda la gente de mi pais como de Paris, Barcelona y de tantas otras ciudades y paises desde los cuales vengo recibiendo carino. (I also want to have a very special memory for all the people who follow me and support me, it is incredible to be able to share this path with all of you. It would be impossible to get to where I got without so much encouragement that I received from all the people of my country as well as from Paris, Barcelona and from many other cities and countries from which I have been receiving affection.)

"Ojala que este ano haya sido tambien maravilloso para todos y les deseo toda la salud y la fuerza para seguir siendo felices en 2023. Un abrazo enorme a todo

s! (I hope that this year has also been wonderful for everyone and I wish you all the health and strength to continue being happy in 2023. A huge hug to all!)"