2022 World Cup final: 5 players to watch for in Argentina vs. France

The World Cup final between holders France and Argentina on Sunday will feature some of the planet’s best players. Here are five to watch out for. 

The World Cup final that will be contested Sunday at Lusial Stadium just outside Doha in Qatar will be a heavyweight clash featuring defending champions France and pre-tournament favorites Argentina.

Both teams are loaded with talent (you need to be to reach such a big game), but some stick out more than most. Sure, everyone knows this match will pit PSG teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe against each other.

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Messi and Mbappe aren’t the only players that matter in this game. They are certainly important, but only two of the five players to watch for.

Players to watch in World Cup Final between France, Argentina: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The 35-year-old Messi is, for many, the greatest of all time. For others, he needed to win a World Cup to be considered the GOAT. The final will be his last chance to get out from under the shadow of the legendary Diego Maradona (the last player to lead Argentina to a World Cup back in 1986) and finally win the trophy that has always eluded him.

Players to watch in World Cup Final between France, Argentina: Kylian Mbappe (France)

Mbappe, who is just 23, could very well win his second World Cup. If he does, this match could very well be the passing of the torch of sorts from Messi to Mbappe as the planet’s best soccer player. Like Messi, Mbappe has five goals in this tournament. Not only is the trophy on the line, but so is the Golden Boot that’s awarded to the World Cup’s top scorer.

Players to watch in World Cup Final between France, Argentina: Julian Alvarez (Argentina)

The Argentine attack was supposed to feature Messi, Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez. Instead, Martinez got off to a poor start and manager Lionel Scaloni replaced him with Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez. The 22-year-old budding star tallied four goals at this tournament and has become a focal point of the team’s attack. Look for Alvarez’s tally to possibly go up in the final.

Players to watch in World Cup Final between France, Argentina: Olivier Giroud (France)

The French striker has been bagging goals at this tournament after scoring none in Les Bleus’ title run in 2018. Like Alvarez, he has four goals at this World Cup. In the process, he surpassed former France star Thierry Henry as France’s all-time leading scorer. He could also compete for the Golden Boot and will certainly give Argentina’s defense fits all game long.

Players to watch in World Cup Final between France, Argentina: Karim Benzema (France)

Who? The French striker who injured himself ahead of the World Cup and hasn’t played a minute in Qatar. France manager Didier Deschamps left him off the team, but never replaced him on the official roster. That means he can play should the Deschamps decide to dress him. Benzema isn’t supposed to be at Sunday’s game, but you just never know if he decides to show up, either on the bench or in the stands, anyway.