Qatar’s World Cup has been marred by off-pitch controversies, but it ended with the bright prospect of a final between two of football’s world powerhouses.
France may need every hour available as kick-off looms after illness struck their camp, forcing several players to sit out training and giving coach Didier Deschamps an unwanted headache.
Argentina and France are both. Aim to win The trophy for the third time with a return to the final four years after Les Bleus triumphed in Moscow.
Back-to-back titles would be a monumental feat for a team coached by Deschamps – only Italy in the 1930s and Pele’s Brazil in 1958 and 1962 had done it before.
Yet that potential success has been overshadowed by Messi’s quest to win the ultimate prize in what is almost certainly his last World Cup game.
The former Barcelona star has won everything at club level, claiming the Ballon d’Or seven times, and led Argentina to victory in last year’s Copa America.
Messi has been impressive in his fifth World Cup as the team bounced back from an opening defeat against Saudi Arabia, while his new sidekick, Julian Alvarez, has scored four times.
Coach Lionel Scaloni said that reaching the final is exciting but there is still a step left.
Chase for a third title
Aged 35 and fueled by his desire to avenge the 2014 final defeat by Germany, Messi scored five goals and made some impressive assists.
Sunday’s match is likely to be his last chance to match the feat of Diego Maradona, who inspired Argentina to victory in Mexico in 1986.
“I’m really enjoying myself. I’m happy at this World Cup,” Messi said after Argentina’s 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.
But will this World Cup be remembered as Messi’s tournament or will France be the top dog once again?
Les Bleus return to the final without ever really hitting top form and must now contend with illness in their camp.
Central defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahim Konate, as well as Kingsley Coman, sat out training on Friday with cold-like symptoms.
Conaté replaced Davit Apamecanou in the semi-final defense against Morocco after he was ruled out through illness, while Adrien Rabiot was also ill for the game.
One player they cannot afford to lose is Mbappe, who scored five goals in the team’s first four games but was largely silent in wins over England and Morocco.
Four years ago, Mbappe became the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup final when, aged 19, he helped France beat Croatia 4-2.
Yet the famous image of the tournament was Mbappe consoling Messi as France beat Argentina in the last 16.
These days they are club mates, jockeying for limelight at Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain and now bantering alongside each other on the biggest stage.
France are wary of reducing the match at the 89,000-capacity Lucille Stadium to just a showdown with Messi.
“Yes they have Leo Messi but they will have 10 other players with a lot of quality,” said midfielder Orléans Chomeny.
“So we will need to be prepared, aware of the opportunity we have to make history.”
Deschamps, who could become the first coach to win two World Cups in the post-war era, said: “We will try to limit his influence as much as possible, just as Argentina have limited the influence of some of my players. Will try to limit it.”
Antoine Griezmann has been outstanding in a new midfield role for France and could reach the Ballon d’Or if Messi’s side win.
Argentina welcome back defensive duo Gonzalo Montel and Marcos Acuna after suspension, and forward Angel Di Maria is expected to be fit.
