‘This is also for him’: Nico dedicates World Cup win to idol Neymar

Nico Williams dedicated Spain's World Cup triumph to his idol, Brazil’s Neymar, after setting up the winning goal in the final against Argentina in New Jersey on Monday.

"Very happy, very happy, for me it's the most beautiful thing. My idol is Neymar, I hope he's watching us, this is also for him," the 24-year-old told Brazil’s Caze TV.

Williams has praised the Brazilian forward publicly before and has long described him as the player he idolises most.

The winger thought he had scored the winner five minutes into extra time, but the goal was ruled out for a foul by Mikel Merino to Otamendi in the buildup.

However, many former players and fans have since disputed that decision as replays showed minimum contact between Merino and Otamendi.  

It didn’t matter eventually, as in the first minute of extra time’s second half, Williams headed the ball across for Ferran Torres, who smashed the ball into the net.

“No problem (about the disallowed goal), we won!” Nico said afterwards.

Spain dominated the final, holding 68 percent possession, made 20 attempts at goal, of which 11 were on target. While their opponents could not get one shot on target throughout the match.

The win is Spain's second World Cup, following their 2010 triumph in South Africa. They now sit level with Uruguay and France on the all-time list.