Watch: Did gift to Lionel Messi from reporter's mother bring good luck for Argentina?

Saint Petersburg: Lionel Messi finally arrived at the 2018 FIFA World Cup as he found his name on the scoresheet in Argentina’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Nigeria in their final group game that ensured passage to the knockout stage.

But after two disappointing games against Iceland and Croatia, the Argentina captain sprung back to life showing the world what he was capable of producing. After Le Albiceleste’s famous win, the FC Barcelona star was asked by reporter Rama Pantorotto if he still had the amulet handed over to him which was originally given by Pantorotto’s mother.

This is how the conversation goes about in Spanish –

Pantrotto: In the first game, I gave you something from my mother. I don’t know if you kept it or threw it away.

Messi: Of course (He pulls down his left sock, pointing out at a red ribbon with an owl symbol)

Pantrotto: You put it on your foot, the ribbon. You put it on your foot?

Messi: Yes. So tell her that thank you, that…

Pantorotto: Are you kidding me? I’m about to have a stroke! For real. But wait! Did you score with the left?

Messi: No, with the right foot, but anyway…

Pantorotto: You scored with your right but it doesn’t matter.

Messi: It’s ok. It helped me.

The journalist turns back to the camera and says, “Dear Mamma! He put the ribbon on his foot. Thank you!”

“My dear Mamma @mariakosmica sent a gift to @leomessi a red ribbon (with an owl) and El Maestro tied it on his left ankle. I am crying, it can’t be,” Pantrotto wrote on Twitter.

Once again, in a separate tweet, he wished Messi for expressing gratitude saying, “Thank you Maestro of Maestros for the Magic and the usual affection!”

Pantrotto and Messi never met before. It was only after Argentina’s drab draw against Iceland that the reporter handed over the red ribbon that would go on to bring the 31-year-old forward some fortune.