Lionel Messi has been named World Sport Star of the Year by BBC Sports Personality after leading Argentina to World Cup triumph

LIONEL MESSI has been named World Sport Star of the Year by BBC Sports Personality.

The Argentina captain scored twice on Sunday as he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.

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The 35-year-old superstar helped lead his national team past France on penalties.

And the BBC announced that they have dedicated the win by naming the little genius global star of the year.

The prize is awarded by a jury to the athlete who has achieved “the most notable sporting achievement” anywhere in the world during that calendar year.

The 2021 winner was Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore.

It’s another trophy for Messi, who talked about winning the World Cup after winning it in Qatar.

He said: “It’s everyone’s dream when they’re little.

“I was lucky enough to achieve everything and what I was missing I found here.”

The thrilling final ended in a penalty shoot-out win over France after a 3-3 draw.

And Messi and his teammates flew back to Buenos Aires with the golden ball.

The playmaker posted a picture of himself holding the trophy on the plane on his Instagram account on Monday afternoon.

Overjoyed, Messi reacted to the historic victory on Instagram a few hours after the exciting game.

Along with a series of snaps celebrating him, he wrote: “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!.

“So many times I’ve dreamed it, I wanted it so bad that I still don’t fall, I can’t believe it…

“Thank you to my family, to everyone who supports me and also to everyone who believed in us.

“We are proving once again that if we fight together and united, the Argentines are capable of achieving what we aspire to.

“The merit of this group, which is above the individual, is the strength that everyone is fighting for the same dream that was also that of all Argentines…

“We did it!!! LET’S GO FUCKING ARGENTINA!!!!!

“See you very soon.”