What is the meaning behind Lionel Messi’s trademark ‘pointing to the sky’ celebration? Argentina captain closes in on World Cup golden boot with touch

Lionel Messi is hoping to finally claim World Cup glory with Argentina but he will also have one eye on winning the Golden Boot. The 35-year-old has shone as La Albiceleste’s leading hope in Qatar, with his five goals propelling them into the final against France. Messi always celebrates with a touching family gestureGetty Every goal he scores Messi points to the sky with both handsGetty Messi is the tournament’s joint top scorer, with one more strike also seeing him become the first to reach reach 20 goal involvements at the World Cup. Should he do that, fans will expect to see the Paris Saint-Germain star whip out his trademark celebration. It’s not in Messi’s nature to conjure up something as ostentatious as rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s branded ‘SIU’ jump and 180-degree pirouette. But the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has had several celebrations throughout his career – the most common being to point a finger on each hand towards the sky as he walks back to the centre-circle. Messi explained years ago that the gesture was a dedication to his grandmother Celia Olivera Cuccittini, who passed away when he was 11. Messi cited his late grandmother as a huge influence on his early careerGetty Messi’s trademark celebration has been ever-present in QatarGetty He said: “I am doing this because I dedicate my goals to my grandmother. “She took to me to football, but now she can’t see how far I have come. Nevertheless, she continues to help me and my family.” During a separate interview on her role in his career, Messi once said: “I was small, we would all go to the neighbourhood club to where the whole family always went; my brother and cousins would all play, each in their respective category as we were all of different ages. “I was one of the youngest ones and therefore there were no categories for me yet, but one of them was missing a player and so my grandmother told the manager ‘to let me play,’ to which the manager replied, ‘How can we let him play? He is too small, he cannot play.’ “Despite this, my grandmother still insisted ‘let him play, let him play.’ She was very much loved by everyone at the club and continued to demand I be put in until they did.” The rest, as they say, is history… Watch the World Cup with talkSPORT At talkSPORT we are powered by fans, so come and join us for the ultimate World Cup fan experience this winter – at the talkSPORT Fan Zone. In a huge indoor venue under the arches at Waterloo in London, we’ll bring you live screenings of every World Cup game. There will be Q&As with talkSPORT talent, you’ll be part of our live broadcasts, and there will be plenty of food and drink on offer too. Come and enjoy the best World Cup fan experience in London – and enjoy a pint on us – with tickets for all remaining games on sale HERE!

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