2022 International Football Federation (FIFA) World Cup Qatar covers the ‘last winner’. France, led by coach Didier Deschamps, and Argentina, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, will play the final on the 19th at 0:00 (Korean time) at Lusail Stadium, Qatar. Following the 2018 Russian Championship, France will challenge for a second consecutive title. Argentina is challenging its third title since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
France and Argentina met in the round of 16 of the Russian tournament, which France won 4-3. France is about to beat Argentina once again. Argentina is seeking revenge after 4 years. If France, the champion of the previous tournament, defeats Argentina in the final, it will be the third consecutive World Cup defeat after Italy (1934 Italy, 1938 France) and Brazil (1958 Sweden, 1962 Chile).
The confrontation between world-class strikers nicknamed ‘Soccer Emperor’ or ‘God of Football’ is expected. Argentine striker Lionel Messi 메이저사이트 (35) and French striker Kylian Mbappe (24) will face off in a final confrontation in which they cannot back down for the World Cup trophy. Coincidentally, the two play together in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), French professional football league 1 (first division). In order for the country to win the World Cup, ‘comradeship’ was put on the back burner for a while.
Mbappe scrambles to break Messi’s stronghold. Mbappe is creating the most attacking opportunities for France in this competition. He holds the record for the most points (five goals) and shot attempts (25) of any French player. He is also receiving the most passes (382). His ability to run like a bull, maintaining high speed throughout his game, is also showing in his World Cup. Two defenders need to stick together to barely stop it.
‘Next generation soccer emperor’ Mbafe shows unstoppable performance in the Qatar tournament. Messi said, “Mbappe is a beast. He is a perfect player capable of one-on-one breakthrough.” After scoring two goals in the round of 16 against Poland, Mbappe was silent in the quarterfinals against England and the semifinals against Morocco, but created scoring opportunities by stirring up the defense with splendid dribbles. Mbappe scored multiple goals against Argentina during the Russian tournament.
Messi, whose last World Cup was held in Qatar, has no intention of giving up the title of ‘current generation soccer emperor’. He boasts a vigorous amount of activity that does not suit his age in his mid-30s. He started and played full-time in all six matches of the tournament. In the quarterfinal against the Netherlands, he played 120 minutes until the second half of extra time. Rather than running at explosive speed throughout the game, it is evaluated that he has fast speed and movement at the moment he penetrates space whenever necessary.
Messi is determined to have the coronation of a soccer emperor with his teammates. There are many helpers of Messi, such as Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid) and Julian Alvarez (Manchester City). Argentina is no longer a ‘Messi one-man team’. It is a ‘one team’. Brazilian legend Ronaldo said, “Argentina has a strong desire to win. Everyone ran a lot and had aggression. And there is Messi,” he said.
Mbappe and Messi, tied for first place in the tournament’s individual score (5 goals), challenge the World Cup individual scorer (Golden Boot). In recent tournaments, the player who scored 5-6 goals became the top scorer. Harry Kane (England) in Russia and James Rodriguez (Colombia) in 2014 Brazil won the Golden Boot with 6 goals each, David Villa (Spain) in 2010 South Africa and Miroslav Klose (Germany) scored 5 goals each in 2006 Germany.
If you win the Golden Boot and lead your team to the championship, you will be awarded the Golden Ball, which is equivalent to the MVP of the World Cup. Messi won the Golden Ball at the tournament in Brazil, but the team bowed out after losing 0-1 to Germany in the final. Mbappe played a big role in the Russian tournament, scoring 4 goals, but the Golden Ball was won by veteran midfielder Luka Modric (Real Madrid), who led Croatia to the final.
Taylor Twellman, who works as a commentator at ESPN, a global sports media outlet, evaluated, “The confrontation between Messi and Mbappe is like a confrontation between (basketball stars) Michael Jordan and LeBron James.” Mirror said, “It is a head-to-head match between the emperor and the emperor’s successor. The writers couldn’t have come up with a better World Cup final story. It is the best generational confrontation, and a fascinating match between PSG colleagues.”