Lionel Messi labelled Argentina World Cup hero Emiliano Martinez ‘the beast’ as he looks ahead to the defence of their title next summer.

Argentina beat France to win the last World Cup in December 2022 in one of the great finals of the sport’s biggest event.

At 2-0 ahead with 10 minutes to play, Argentina looked to be cruising to victory, but a quickfire Kylian Mbappe double took the game to extra-time.

There the Argentinians went back ahead, with Messi scoring his second of the game, only for a second Mbappe penalty to equalise again.

The final went to a shootout, only after Martinez had made crucial saves late in the game.

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The Aston Villa goalkeeper was the hero again from the spot, saving Kingsley Coman’s penalty, while Argentina netted all four of their spo

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