Messi's signed off 2022: I'll never forget the year my dreams Happen”

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 Argentina captain is due back at Paris Saint-Germain at the start of the coming week after being granted extended leave following his FIFA Qatar 2022 records.His seven goals and three assists on Argentina's route to glory earned Messi the Golden Ball award and at the age of 35 he finally got to lift the World Cup trophy, his career's crowning moment. Messi posted to Instagram a series of pictures of himself with wife Antonela and their young family, marking the end of a transformative year. He wrote: "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's magical moment will not have been met with great reverence in Paris, given it was France that Argentina beat on penalties in the final after a remarkable 3-3 draw.  Addressing supporters, Messi made a point of thanking those from Barcelona as well as Paris. He scored a staggering 672 goals during a Barcelona career that ended with a shock move to PSG in August 2021. Messi wrote: "I would like to have a special memory for all the people who follow me and support me. It was great to be able to share this path with all of you." He added, "It would have been impossible to reach where I am now without this great encouragement that I received from all the people in my country and also in Paris, Barcelona and many other cities and countries from which I received feelings of affection." And he added, "I hope that this year will also be wonderful for everyone, and I wish you health and strength to remain happy in 2023."