Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has paid tribute to his Argentina World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi.

The international team-mates helped the nation become world champions for the third time and the first in 36 years after defeating France in a thrilling final in Qatar via a penalty shootout earlier in December.

While the United defender was in and out of the team throughout the tournament, Messi played a key role as the team's captain and talisman including scoring seven goals.

Now Martinez has taken to Instagram to praise the leadership shown by the Paris Saint-Germain forward who he also called the greatest footballer of all time.

"On the pitch and off it an example for everyone. Thank-you Leo for being our leader towards this great dream that we achieved. Simply the best footballer in history!!"