A new trophy for the star, acclaimed by teammates and fans alike: Lionel Messi has expressed his satisfaction after Argentina's deserved 3-0 victory over Italy in the "Finalissima".

"It was a wonderful final, full of Argentines," said the 35-year-old after the South American champions' clear victory against the European champions at London's Wembley Stadium.

"What we experienced here was wonderful." Almost half a year before the World Cup in Qatar, the captain of the Albiceleste was self-confident: "We'll take on everyone," he said.

Messi is carried on hands

Messi and Co. were in control on the field, while the Argentinian fans clearly outnumbered the 87,112 spectators in the stands.

"We knew it would be a nice game and a nice setting," said the soccer professional.

The supporters enthusiastically cheered on their team, and when Messi was on the ball, the volume level increased significantly.

It almost seemed as if the multiple world footballer wanted to show after his rather meager first season with the French series champions Paris St. Germain what he is still capable of.

Almost every attack went through the director.

He scored two goals, but he failed to score one of his own.

Once he failed at his club colleague Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Italian goal, once he aimed from an acute angle next to the empty goal.

Lautaro Martinez (28th), Angel di Maria (45th + 2) and Paulo Dybala (90th + 4), who had just come on as a substitute, ensured the victory, which could have been better.

The focus of the exuberant celebration, however, was the captain.

First Messi lifted the new trophy, then his team-mates threw their star in the air.

The Argentines are now something of the defending champions: in 1993 they had won the last edition of the intercontinental final in their home Mar del Plata 5-4 on penalties against Denmark.

The blue and whites last played at Wembley in 2000.

Not even a year ago was the last appearance of the Italians in the English national stadium.

They defeated England 3-2 on penalties in the final of the European Championship.

But things haven't been going well for the Azzurri since then.

Coach Roberto Mancini showed himself to be a fair loser.

"I think they played better than us," he congratulated the Argentines.

Mancini pointed to a mistake by Federico Bernardeschi before the first goal and a yellow card for defender Leonardo Bonucci.

After that, the often congenial partner of defender icon Giorgio Chiellini was no longer able to go into duels as usual.

"That's why he didn't attack as usual for the second goal." After that, the Argentines would have had control.

"They played very, very well."

Losing in Chiellini's 117th and last international match also thwarted the Italians' chance to make up for their embarrassing World Cup qualifiers.

The Azzurri are not present at the World Cup in Qatar, so a new edition of the "Finalissima" is ruled out.