On Sunday, December 18, the FIFA World Cup final will be played at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar between two of the biggest teams from South America and Europe. Messi’s Argentina will look forward to the final battle against Hugo Lloris’ France.

However, in the 16th round of the 2018 World Cup, France and Argentina had a faceoff. Kylian Mbappe, who was 19 at the time, destroyed Messi & Co as Mbappe’s decisive goal in the second half gave France the victory.

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Argentina was one of the formidable contenders of the cup in the 2018 edition, but ultimately it was France which took home the trophy. Argentina has since learned a lesson and made significant progress in key areas where it previously lagged. They even won the renowned Copa America last year, and in this World Cup edition, Argentina is looking strong in each department as ever.

Although they have suffered a disappointing loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening World Cup match, Messi’s team is now looking strong. Ever since the defeat, they have followed the correct procedures and appear to be a strong candidate to win the title today.

For the third time in the tournament’s history, both Kylian Mbappe-led France and Lionel Messi-led Argentina will compete for the championship. Since Lionel Messi had indicated that it would be his final game for Argentina, fans will get to see him play one final time.

Argentina and France have each won the championship twice so far. While France triumphed in 1998 and 2018, Argentina won the prized trophy in 1978 and 1986.

However, Messi is Argentina’s main priority this time, and every player wants to send him off in style during his final World Cup game. Even taking into account the vast array of superstars that came before him and helped to make football the stunning game that it is, Lionel Messi has attracted comparisons to the best in that he is admired by his teammates.

Now, only one game stands between Messi’s first-ever World Cup title victory. Despite this, the final, which will feature La Albiceleste versus the French champions, is far from a done deal.

The defending champions, led by captain Messi and his muchachos, are poised to become the first team in 60 years to win back-to-back World Cups, riding on the brilliance of star scorers Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud and supported by a renowned midfield and a strong backline. Messi and his muchachos will be seeking revenge for the crushing 3-4 loss to France in the 2018 tournament.

After Argentina’s demoralising loss to Saudi Arabia in their season opener, Messi has single-handedly propelled Argentina to the final while carrying the weight of a country desperate for a global championship.

The only thing left to determine is whether the football gods will be kind to one of their favourite sons come Sunday’s championship game. If Argentina were to triumph, it would be a fitting and essentially magical conclusion to a genuinely extraordinary football career.

If the two-time world champions lose in the final, the world will have seen Messi wave goodbye to his adoring fans at Doha’s Lusail stadium before passing the torch to the next generation of superstars.