France boss Didier Deschamps has sent a warning to Argentina and Lionel Messi ahead of a mouth-watering 2022 World Cup final on Sunday, December 18th.
The French are looking to win their second straight trophy while Argentina and Messi are hoping to win their first since 1986.
Many fans, pundits and players have tipped Messi to win the tournament to cement his status as the best footballer of all time. This will be the second final for the Argentine magician after he lost in 2014.
Lionel Scaloni’s side began the competition on the wrong foot, losing to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, in one of the greatest World Cup upsets of all time.
France have cruised through the tournament, proving once again why they are one of the most talented teams in the world. They are looking to become only the third team to win back-to-back trophies after Italy and Brazil, per Goal.
Deschamps said he is aware that many people across the globe want Messi to win the World cup but vowed to achieve their objective by all means necessary, per the Guardian.
“I know that Argentinian people, many people around the world, maybe even some French people hope Messi will win the World Cup. But we will do everything to achieve our objective.”
The France squad have been hit by flu this week but it looks like all their players will be ready to go by Sunday evening.
For France, their superstar Kylian Mbappe will be an instrumental figure and will look to stop his PSG teammate from winning the game.
Messi and Mbappe are on five goals each in Qatar, which means the golden boot race goes to the last game.
Messi carrying Argentina?
Sports Brief earlier reported on Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saying his country is happy to be the underdogs when they face France in the final.
The Aston Villa keeper said Argentina will draw on the experience of their successful 2021 Copa America campaign, as well as the dazzling form of Lionel Messi.
Martinez said the memory of that win, and the presence of Messi means Argentina will go into Sunday’s final with no fear.
Source: Sports Brief News
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