Former Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini has admitted he is ‘eternally grateful’ to the Argentina team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni’s side lifted the famous trophy in Qatar on Sunday, beating France on penalties after drawing 3-3. It was an outrageously good game – one of, if not the, best World Cup final ever.
The big players stepped up with, Lionel Messi netting twice and Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick – the first in a final since Sir Geoff Hurst’s in 1966.
While controversy surrounded this World Cup, it certainly delivered on the pitch. And it ended with Messi finally winning the big one – the one trophy that had alluded him throughout his legendary career.
It was agony for Mbappe and ecstasy for Messi, as Argentina won their first World Cup since 1986. They are now three time champions, and Coloccini has expressed his delight at seeing his nation become champions of the world.
Coloccini on Argentina winning the World Cup
After the game, the former Newcastle defender took to his official Instagram account to celebrate his country’s sensational victory.
He wrote: “Eternally grateful champions of the world!!!! A country identified by this group of gladiators!! thank you.”
Sunday was a historic day for Argentina, and one that delighted Coloccini. The 40-year-old played 39 times for his country, and made two appearances at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
That tournament saw Argentina knocked out in the quarter finals, but this team have gone all the way.
Coloccini, who retired last year, could not hide his joy when reacting to the game on Instagram, and it is a feeling that will be shared by other Argentinian players who used to represent Newcastle such as Jonas Gutierrez, Federico Fernandez and Facundo Ferreyra.
Their nation delivered on Sunday, despite kicking off their tournament with defeat to Saudi Arabia. But Argentina rallied, and have gone on to become world champions for the third time.
Newcastle’s former captain is delighted, and rightly so.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
