For Lionel Messi – the “Greatest of all Time” – it is his final chance to win the most coveted trophy on earth. For two-time champions Argentina, it is about ending a 36-year title drought and for defending champions France it is a quest to make history.
With stakes that high, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final today is expected to be a classic battle at the iconic Lusail Stadium ready to host a capacity crowd of 88,966 spectators, with billions across the globe set to be glued to their TV sets.
Messi in his last chance to clinch the World Cup – football’s biggest prize and the only major title eluding the record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner – will surely hog the spotlight with the majority of fans around the world backing the Argentine great to lift the trophy.
The 35-year-old’s support in the final is such that even “some French fans may be” supporting La Albiceleste captain against Les Bleus, according to France coach Didier Deschamps.
But both Deschamps and his Argentinean counterpart Lionel Scaloni agreed that the title clash is more than just about individuals with both nations eyeing the ultimate glory in Qatar. The tacticians said serenity will be the key in the high-profile match.
Argentina, who won their last crown in 1986, are in phenomenal form having lost only one of their last 42 international matches. They have scored 12 goals in Qatar, which is their highest tally at the World Cups since 1986 when they scored 14.
But in formidable France, bidding to become only the third country in history to win back-to-back world titles after Italy – 1934 and 1938 and Brazil - 1958 and 1962, La Albiceleste may face a challenge they have not confronted in Qatar so far.
Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi and his teammates take part in a training session yesterday. AFP
Feared striker Kylian Mbappe, locked in a key battle with his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Messi for the Golden Boot with only one assist giving the latter edge after both scored five goals apiece, will be the biggest threat for Argentina.
But Scaloni believed the entire French side will be a challenge for Argentina.
“France is not only Mbappe, no matter how a great footballer he is. He’s one of the star players – he’s young, and he’ll continue improving, no doubt. But that’s a collective task, more than individual,” Scaloni told reporters at a crowded press conference yesterday.
“Tomorrow’s match is Argentina against France. There’s no doubt about that. Beyond Messi and Mbappe, we think both teams have enough resources so the match can be settled by other players, and not necessarily both of them,” he added on a much-hyped duel between Messi and Mbappe.
Scaloni, however, hoped Messi to finally lift the elusive trophy in his World Cup swansong.
“Let’s hope, it’s the last one and we can win the Cup. That would be great.”
Asked what his message to players ahead of the final is, the Argentina coach said he agrees with the saying “finals are for winning, not for playing”.
“Nevertheless, we have to play this final as we played our previous matches. We cannot face this match only thinking about winning. We cannot win every single move, as they tend to say about finals. There are plenty of aspects that should be deeply analysed. We will try to not fail,” he added.
“I think we are in a great moment, and above all, I think we have to keep the word “enjoy”.
France’s forward Kylian Mbappe attends a training session with teammates at the Al Sadd SC training centre in Doha.
Goal is to win another trophy: Deschamps
Deschamps, who was captain in France’s title triumph in 1998, is hoping to guide the Les Bleus to back-to-back titles as coach.
But France did not get ideal preparation ahead of the final, with several players sidelined from training sessions due to illnesses.
Central defensive pair Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate missed training on Friday, along with winger Kingsley Coman. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot and defender Dayot Upamecano did not play in semi-final win over Morocco on Wednesday.
However, all the 24 available players attended France’s last training session before the final yesterday.
“We try to be as safe as possible, adapt and live with it. We will have more information later today, tonight, and tomorrow, to make sure we are ready for this big game ahead of us,” the France coach said.
France and Argentina have previously met three times at World Cup with Les Bleus beating La Albiceleste 4-3 in the Round of 16 at World Cup 2018 – in their latest game.
“I think only seven of their players from 2018 are still here today, so it’s really not the same team. There’s no point in comparing the two, it was a game in the Round of 16, and the players weren’t the same,” said Deschamps.
Asked about overwhelming support for Messi and Argentina, Deschamps said his team will only be focusing on retaining the title.
“The most important thing when preparing for a game like this one is to be calm. But of course, the goal of a final is to win another trophy. But I know that some Argentineans, the people, maybe some French people too, would like to see him win. But we don’t really agree with that, so we are going to do everything we can to get what we want.”
“It is going to be a festive atmosphere. Our opponents are not the people in the stands. Our opponents are the ones on the pitch. We’ll have to cope with their quality, and focus only on that aspect,” the 54-year-old added.
Argentina are playing in their sixth World Cup final, having won in 1978 and 1986, and being runners-up in 1930, 1990 and 2014.
Argentina have lost only one of their last 42 international matches (W29 D12). They have scored 12 goals at Qatar 2022 -- their highest total since 1986 when they scored 14.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi will be playing in his second World Cup final after his team lost to Germany in 2014. The World Cup trophy is the only major title missing from his collection.
France are playing in their fourth World Cup final, having won in 1998 and 2018, and finished runners-up in 2006.
France have become the first back-to-back finalists since Brazil in 2002, and will be looking to become only the third nation to have won two consecutive World Cups, alongside Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962).
Kylian Mbappe has scored five times in six games, surpassing his tally from the 2018 tournament. The 23-year-old has scored nine World Cup goals in 13 appearances.
Previous meetings:
Argentina and France have played each other three times in the World Cup, last meeting in Russia in 2018 when France won 4-3 in the round of 16. Argentina won the first two meetings in 1930 and 1978.
