Lionel Messi, the Rosarian genius lighting up Inter Miami, reunited with the trophy he craved most: the FIFA World Cup. This heart-stirring moment unfolded at the unveiling of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, held at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium. Face-to-face with the prize, the Argentine couldn’t hide his uncontainable joy, as if time had flung him back to that unforgettable triumph.

A “Happy Birthday” Grin

The footballer, entrepreneur, billionaire, and global icon let slip a childlike glee, beaming like he’d just unwrapped a shiny new bike on Christmas morning. Standing before the towering presence of the Cup—the same one that slipped through his fingers in the gut-wrenching 2014 Brazil final against Germany—Messi flashed his now-famous “happy birthday” face, a spark of pure emotion that electrified everyone in the room.

The Titans Alongside Messi

Who joined this legend? None other than Patrick Mahomes, the NFL’s dazzling maestro commanding the Kansas City Chiefs with unstoppable flair; Alessandro Del Piero, the Italian football god etched in history for his 2006 World Cup wizardry and Juventus dynasty; and Jürgen Klinsmann, the lethal German striker who claimed the 1990 World Cup and later carved his legacy coaching the U.S. national team.

The Crowning Glory of His Saga

In perhaps the most dazzling chapter of his storied career, Lionel Messi ascended to World Cup immortality with Argentina in Qatar 2022. It came after a pulse-pounding clash with France, sealed in a nail-biting penalty shootout that left the globe breathless. For the third time in its history—echoing Mario Kempes in ’78 and Diego Maradona in ’86—Argentina soared to the pinnacle of world football, led by the unmatched captaincy of their “number 10.” Then came the moment the planet craved: Messi hoisted the Cup, a scene frozen in time as the most viral photo ever, now reigning as the Instagram profile pic of the game’s greatest star.