Brazil are set to make the unprecedented move of paying homage to Lionel Messi after the superstar captained their bitter rivals Argentina to winning the World Cup.
Messi won the tournament's Golden Ball as La Albiceleste lifted their first World Cup trophy since 1986. Brazil had entered the tournament as one of the favourites, but were knocked out in the quarter-finals on penalties by Croatia.
Croatia faced Argentina in the semi-finals, with the South Americans easily progressing to the final. After an all-time classic match it was Lionel Scaloni 's men who ended up victorious after a penalty shoot-out, sending the compatriots back home into jubilation.
Argentina's win is also the first for a South American country in 20 years, with Brazil being the continent's last winners all the way back in 2002. Amid Messi and Argentina's historic achievement, Sport report that Brazil will pay tribute to the attacker.
It is stated that the Superintendent of Sport for the state of Rio de Janeiro has invited Messi to the legendary Maracana Stadium. They will grant Messi a place in the Maracana's Hall of Fame, sending an invitation to Messi via the Argentine Football Association.
He will join the likes of Pele, Garrincha, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo in taking his place in the hall of fame. The latter has already hailed Messi for his achievement, putting Brazil's rivalry with Argentina to one side.
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“Football of this type dispels any rivalry. I saw many Brazilians, and people from all over the world, cheering on Messi in this electrifying final. A farewell worthy of the genius who, far beyond being a World Cup star, led an era. Congratulations, Messi!" Ronaldo wrote on Twitter.
Adriano Santos, president of the Superintendency of Sports of Rio de Janeiro, has insisted that Messi is fully deserving of a place in the Maracana's Hall of Fame.
"Messi has already shown all his importance on and off the field. He is a player who has been at the highest level in the history of football for years. Winning the World Cup is just the crowning glory of a beautiful and victorious career," he said.
Players named to the Hall of Fame leave their footprints in clay and are also given space on an all-star wall of names. More than 100 players, mostly Brazilian, have received the honour.
Messi will join boyhood hero Diego Maradona, Bobby Charlton, Eusebio and Zinedine Zidane as the non-Brazilian members of the Hall of Fame. He is currently still in Argentina amid a party atmosphere as the country celebrates its historic achievement.
The acknowledgement of Messi comes just a year after he lifted the Copa America title at the Maracana. Argentina defeated Brazil in an ill-tempered match, but Messi will now be celebrated at the very same stadium.
