Fans are already speculating about France vs. Argentina and who will win the 2022 World Cup and take home the gleaming trophy. On December 18, Lionel Messi and Argentina will play Kylian Mbappe and defending champion France. Can Messi become the greatest of all time without matching Diego Maradona’s record? Or, will Mbappe make history by becoming the first team to repeat as champions since Pele and Brazil in 1958/59? Sunday’s matchup at Lusail Iconic Stadium will be exciting, no matter the outcome.
France vs Argentina: Who reigns?
There is no shortage of A-listers on either team, but Messi and Mbappe will be the focal points. They’re teammates at Paris Saint-Germain and tied for the tournament lead in goals with five apiece, earning them the Golden Boot. Two colleagues from the same club have never won the Golden Boot at the World Cup previously.
The player with the most assists will advance in a tie after Sunday’s game. If there is still a tie, the player with the fewest minutes played will win. On Sunday, when the 35-year-old Messi takes the pitch, he will surpass the legendary German footballer Lothar Matthaus for the most World Cup appearances by a male player.
Messi’s strike against Croatia on Tuesday gave him the record for most goals scored by an Argentine male player, surpassing Maradona’s total of eight goals. Mbappe wants to become the second-youngest player to win the World Cup twice.
If the 23-year-old can repeat Pele’s feat of becoming a two-time winner by 22, he will have accomplished something remarkable. Saturday’s match between Morocco and Croatia will determine who finishes in third place.
