More than Mbappe v Messi: The key players to look for in the World Cup final

Doha: Lionel Messi will line up for Argentina and Kylian Mbappe will be on the opposite side for France in the early hours of Monday morning in the World Cup final.

Messi has been there before, but lost in the 2014 final to Germany. Mbappe won the 2018 title after scoring a goal against Croatia.

However, neither will be able to win the gold trophy entirely on their own at Lusail Stadium.

Here is a look at some of the key players on both teams, and their coaches:

ARGENTINA

LIONEL MESSI
The 35-year-old Messi is the heart and soul of the Argentina team, the tournament’s co-leading scorer with five goals and tied for the most assists with three. Look for the Paris Saint-Germain forward to burst into creative life when he sees a chance to make something happen. A World Cup title would finally complete Messi’s elevation alongside Diego Maradona to icon status.

Lionel Messi celebrates after converting from the penalty spot earlier in the tournament.Credit: Getty Images

JULIAN ALVAREZ
Alvarez made it off the bench to replace Lautaro Martinez as the World Cup progressed and scored four goals in four starts with Argentina. The 22-year-old Manchester City player is a powerful runner who created a perfect partnership with Messi in the 3-0 win over Croatia in the semi-finals.

EMILIANO MARTINEZ
Martinez is an imposing 6′4″ goalkeeper with a personality to match his stature. “Dibu” would be favoured if the final goes to a penalty shootout. The 30-year-old Aston Villa keeper made key saves in Argentina’s shootout win over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and in last year’s Copa America semifinals.

NAHUEL MOLINA
Molina is an energetic full-back with the toughness expected of any Argentina defender. The 24-year-old Atletico Madrid defender also has attacking instincts. He received the no-look pass of the tournament from Messi to score against the Netherlands.

Nahuel Molina battles for possession with Australia’s Riley McGree.Credit: AP Photo

ENZO FERNANDEZ
Fernandez started the tournament as a substitute but was in the team to stay after scoring with his fast feet and a curling shot in Argentina’s victory over Mexico. The 21-year-old Benfica player anchors the centre of midfield and will be trying to stop Antoine Griezmann’s forward forays.

LIONEL SCALONI (COACH)
Scaloni was an assistant coach at the 2018 World Cup - when Argentina exited in the round of 16 against France - and is now an unheralded success in the top job. He brought a 35-game unbeaten run to Qatar that included ending a long wait for a Copa America last year. The 44-year-old Scaloni has succeeded in surrounding Messi with a midfield that lets him flourish.

FRANCE

KYLIAN MBAPPE
Mbappe is France’s fastest, most dynamic scoring threat on the field. The 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward is tied with Messi with a World Cup-leading five goals. A standout game against Argentina will place him among the all-time greats.

Kylian Mbappe is dreaming of World Cup glory over PSG teammate Lionel Messi and Argentina.Credit: Getty Images

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
The 31-year-old Griezmann has been a revelation for France at this year’s World Cup. Once a goal-scoring winger, the Atletico Madrid forward has added relentless defensive protection to his creative craft. A duel could develop with Messi between the lines of Argentina’s attack.

HUGO LLORIS
The 35-year-old Tottenham goalkeeper is poised to become the first-ever captain of two World Cup-winning teams. A quiet-spoken leader by example, he now holds France’s all-time appearance record.

RAPHAEL VARANE
At his third World Cup, the 29-year-old Varane is a fixture in the centre of a France defence that keeps changing because of injury and illness. The four-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid is back to near his elegant best after an injury scare in October.

AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI
Tchouameni arrived on the world stage ahead of schedule in the midfield role Paul Pogba had for France four years ago. He matched Pogba’s shooting power with his goal against England. Learning at Real Madrid this season, after spurning Mbappe’s urging to go to PSG, should prepare the 22-year-old midfielder for facing Argentina.

Aurelien Tchouameni opened the scoring for France against England.Credit: Getty Images

DIDIER DESCHAMPS (COACH)
In his 11th year as France coach, Deschamps can become only the second man to lead two World Cup-winning teams and the first since 1938. The 54-year-old Deschamps has integrated inexperienced players to replace injured veterans without losing any of his team’s typical calm assurance.

The World Cup final between Argentina and France will kick off at 2am on Monday.

- AP