Brazilian legend Pele said Lionel Messi "deserved" to be a World Cup winner after Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout in Sunday's final, report agencies. "Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way. Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved," Pele, a three-time World Cup champion, wrote on Instagram. Pele also hailed French striker Kylian Mbappe who scored a hat-trick in the final. "My dear friend, Mbappe, scoring four goals in a final. What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport… It's great to see Africa shine. Congratulations Argentina! Certainly Diego is smiling now."