Lionel Messi capped his glittering career with a World Cup victory on Sunday, as Argentina defeated France on penalties in a game for the ages, triumphing 4-2 after a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe ensured the game ended level following extra time.
The prize money for teams competing in the World Cup 2022, which took place in Qatar, is a whopping $440 million.
The tournament in 2022 featured 32 teams from around the world. There are 13 European teams, five African teams, four North American teams, four South American teams, and six Asian teams.
Qatar, Ecuador, Wales, Iran, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Tunisia, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Costa Rica, Serbia, Cameroon, Ghana, and Uruguay all earned $9 million each after exiting the World Cup at the group stage.
The teams that advanced to the round of 16 – the United States, Senegal, Australia, Poland, Spain, Japan, Switzerland, and South Korea – each received $13 million.
Brazil, the Netherlands, Portugal, and England earned $17 million each for reaching the quarter-finals.
Morocco, which finished fourth will receive $25 million.
Croatia, which finished third will be given $27 million.
The runner-up France, will receive $30 million, while the winner, Argentina of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will receive $42 million.
This is a $40 million increase over the 2018 tournament.
Prior to 2006, World Cup-winning teams were never paid more than $10 million, with Italy earning an estimated $2.2 million for their efforts.
National teams made a strong push for FIFA to increase the prize money available in 2002. The prize money won since 1982 until 2022 is listed below;
| Year | Prize money (USD) million |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $42m |
| 2018 | $38m |
| 2014 | $35m |
| 2010 | $30m |
| 2006 | $20m |
| 2002 | $8m |
| 1998 | $6m |
| 1994 | $4m |
| 1990 | $3.5m |
| 1986 | $2.8m |
| 1982 | $2.2m |
Twitter reactions
Several Messi fans are excited about the big wins for the World Cup 2022 which held in Qatar. Even in Nigeria, thousands of fans were tweeting through out the match some rooting for Messi and others for Mbappe.
One of Messi’s fans, Emmanuel Iren (founder of Celebration Church International; CCI) who celebrated his birthday on December 18 prayed for the football star to win the world cup. His (Emmanuel Iren) followers also threw their support behind him.
https://t.co/quzWyS5wzW pic.twitter.com/4oRzNk6s8T
— Pastor Emmanuel Iren (@pst_iren) December 18, 2022
No more argument
It is done
Lionel Messi is the greatest football of all time.
If you ever doubted, I forgive you.
Now hail the King.
— Pastor Emmanuel Iren (@pst_iren) December 18, 2022
Blowing my candles 🎂
My birthday ‘wish’ pic.twitter.com/DpRhlLfguk
— Pastor Emmanuel Iren (@pst_iren) December 18, 2022
Dear Messi,
Pastey has to be your biggest supporter 🔥
PS: CCI members were speaking in tongues throughout the match 😁 we prayed fire 🔥
The mercy of God prevailed
— The Ambivert😒 (@_Pehju) December 18, 2022
Mbappe is skillful,
MESSI is skillful and anointed!
The difference is clear!
— victoria orenze (@victoriaorenze) December 18, 2022
You should not call yourself a true football fan if you scroll down without liking this picture of Lionel Messi ❤️🐐 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/0D8jP88iCK
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 18, 2022
Mbappe was not left behind on the Twitter trends, having scored the highest goal in the world cup and winning the golden boat at just 23 years old.
Kylian Mbappé is the first player to score 8+ goals in a single World Cup tournament since Ronaldo in 2002.
He'll be back. 😤#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/eYatK4tvJb
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 18, 2022
Herh Mbappé, You did your best…. better luck next season ❤️❤️❤️
Upcoming GOAT!#Mbappe𓃵 pic.twitter.com/z00cK5kM2h
— betswe.mohlala (@KeabetsweMohla5) December 18, 2022
People saying Mbappe can win the next Ballon D’or are laughable. Have you forgotten Lionel Messi plays for the club team? Whatever trophy Mbappe wins Messi wins too and Messi is a World Cup winner on top of that.
The 8th Ballon D’or is secured for Messi already. pic.twitter.com/EGzn8FaxuA
— Rephlex☁️ (@I_Am_Rephlex) December 18, 2022
Kylian Mbappe posing with the Golden Boot 😢 pic.twitter.com/DsGFN9uwM9
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 18, 2022
Mbappe is 5 goals away from becoming the all-time World Cup top goal scorer. He is just 23years pic.twitter.com/6VkjOrRUqH
— Thomas Felix Noonoo🇬🇭 (@felix_noonoo) December 18, 2022
Herh Mbappe is the player of the tournament no doubt but as usual he's been robbed in favour of FIFA and Budweiser favorite Messi pic.twitter.com/N4IdxLydUA
— Sylvester Bannerman (@MrBannermanJnr) December 18, 2022
How will i explain to my kids that mbappe scored a hat trick and still lost the world cup😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/lHNW8DvTox
— Junkyard diver 😇 (@Anto_mbuguaa) December 18, 2022
Impossible to forget the performance by @KMbappe World Qatar 2022
⛳7 world cup games
⚽8 goals at the world cup
🥅2 assists
🥉Hatrick after 50 years
Inarguably the best player in the world 🇨🇵🇨🇵
This guy must be goated🐐🐐📌 pic.twitter.com/dIkgX1eQlP
— Proud Nyagolian🌴🌴 (@tea_mothy) December 18, 2022
🐐Lionel Messi's Major Honours;
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 La Liga
🏆🏆🏆🏆 UEFA Champions League
🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️ Ballon D'Or
🏆 Ligue 1
🏆 U-20 World Cup
🥇 Olympics Gold
🏆 Copa America
🏆 Finalissima
🏆 FIFA World Cup
🐐The Greatest of all Time-GOAT #FIFAWorldCup|#Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/X9mEA1kEht
— FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip) December 18, 2022
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME! pic.twitter.com/Hvd0RCpOlW
— Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi) December 18, 2022
My brother is a hugeeee Messi fan, this is how much Argentina’s victory meant to him 😂❤️ #FIFAWorldCup #ArgentinaVsFrance #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/k1pzzvgnlx
— Fahad.js (@codingslime) December 18, 2022
Messi carried on the shoulders of Kun Aguero. The story of a friendship pic.twitter.com/MPCPvy6dVG
— Hernán Federico Pacheco⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@hernanfpacheco) December 18, 2022
Drafted this for Ronaldo and Mbappe towards Messi agenda😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JB2QMobD32
— Jamal Pacman (@JamalPacman) December 18, 2022
Just look at Martinez and Di Maria celebrating with family 💋#Messi𓃵 #ArgentinaVsFrance #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/I5OZfNuJsr
— Sarafina Napoleon (@FinaNapoleon) December 18, 2022
Messi’s black cloak is called a 'Beshth'. Arabian warriors wore it after a victory. It’s also worn by the royal family. King of Qatar honoured Messi as a sign of respect. Signifying Messi as a warrior who won for his country Argentina pic.twitter.com/TMStG6mo57
— Tallie Dar (@talliedar) December 18, 2022
Messi World Cup selfie 😘 pic.twitter.com/l3E2bihLJE
— Messi Media (@LeoMessiMedia) December 18, 2022
Lionel Messi dancing on the table with the World Cup 😍 (🎥 @aguerosergiokun) pic.twitter.com/yb9luzlBmf
— GOAL (@goal) December 18, 2022
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