The French will be denied back-to-back World Cup titles when Lionel Messi lifts the trophy on Sunday night, writes Oliver Keohane.
Since Argentina’s shock loss to Saudi Arabia in their first game of the tournament, every match of theirs has had the potential stakes of a final, in terms of whether they would progress to the actual final.
Under immense pressure from the start of the tournament, the Argentinian side has rallied around Messi to make it to the final. At 35 years old, Messi has commanded Qatar wearing the blue and white of Argentina in the same fashion that a young Messi commanded every match and league in Barcelona’s blue and red.
Five goals and three assists make the Argentinian captain the joint top goals scorer, with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, who will be carrying much of France’s hopes when the two sides meet.
Where Mbappe was a World Cup winner at 19 years old, the Lusail Stadium will see Lionel Messi achieve World Cup glory at 35 years old, a fitting finale to arguably the greatest player of this generation, and a gentle reminder the guard has not yet been fully passed over.
The French are a phenomenal side, with some of the best individual depth in every position. But Argentina are a side with a sprinkling of youth, among seasoned veterans, are playing for every World Cup that nearly was over the last 12 years. They perform inspired by the magic of Messi, who was given license to run the show internationally, has produced individual brilliance in each game which has translated to the collective success of his side.
For all of France’s quality, Sunday evening will be painted light blue, and Lionel Messi will be at the heart of not only his first World Cup win, but Argentina’s first since in 1986.