Lionel Scaloni, the manager of Argentina, stated that he would leave Lionel Messi's jersey available in case the captain decided to participate in the next World Cup.
"I think we should keep the number 10 jersey prepared for the next World Cup if he (Messi) feels like playing," Scaloni said at a news conference.
"He earned the right to do whatever he wants with his career. What he transmits to his teammates is incredible. I have never seen such an influential person in the changing room."
Sunday's encounter between Argentina and France ended in a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes of thrilling action, with Messi scoring twice and once more in the shootout as he guided Argentina to an emotional 4-2 victory on penalties.
Scaloni claimed that after winning the Copa America last year and defeating Brazil in the championship game, they began to believe they were unstoppable.
"After (we beat) Brazil, I had a conversation with Messi... (and explained) we had a big task in-front of us, people from our country were starting to believe (in our World Cup chances), to hope, and pressure was rising," Scaloni shared.
"He told me that 'We have to keep going, nothing else matters' and that gave me a tremendous emotional boost.
"I realized that we were on the verge of (achieving) something (big)."
Many feared the 35-year-old Messi would never again wear Argentina's iconic blue and white stripes after finally completing a lifelong dream by hoisting the biggest award in world soccer.
However, Messi quickly stated that he had no plans to retire from international duty in the foreseeable future.
His coach was pleased with his decision.
With Argentina's World Cup victory coming just two years after the death of Diego Maradona, who famously led them to their last trophy in 1986, an emotional Scaloni said: "I only now realize that Maradona is not with us anymore and that makes me think that he will be happy and proud of us from where he is.
"If he was here, he would have been the first fan to step in pitch to celebrate with us. I hope he has enjoyed what we accomplished."
The significance of the victory for the millions of people who had watched the team's journey from home, including his family and friends, also made him cry.
"It wasn't in my plans being world champion. It's madness," Scaloni said. "That is no bigger pride of representing your country and I hope we made our fans proud."
