Argentina have reached their second World Cup Final in eight years, giving Lionel Messi the chance to finally win the one trophy that has eluded him throughout his career.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany in 2014, but now they have the chance to right that wrong in Qatar.
The South American outfit will face either France or Morocco in the final, but will Lionel Messi be able to play?
The Argentine was holding his hamstring throughout the semi-final, while disciplinary issues also looked like they could be a problem.
The PSG star was, of course, yellow carded against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, and many were wondering whether a subsequent disciplinary issue against Croatia could’ve risked his place in the final.
Is Lionel Messi suspended?
Thankfully for Argentina fans, Messi will be eligible to play at the weekend in what will be the biggest game of his career.
FIFA’s rules on this one have recently changed, if a player picks up two yellow cards in the same tournament they are to receive a one-game ban – unless that’s in a semi-final.
England fans will know the old rule well from Paul Gascoigne’s teary-eyed reaction to being booked in 1990, but luckily for Argentina, that rule was changed to mean that you will only be suspended for the final if you are sent off in the semi-final.
This will come as a relief to the likes of Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi who were booked against both the Netherlands and Croatia – as well as Messi who came into the semi-final game off the back of a booking.
Of course, this rule change didn’t matter too much to Messi anyway as he wasn’t cautioned on Tuesday evening, but in previous years he would’ve been skating on thin ice.
Arguably the greatest player of all-time will get the chance to take to the field and earn himself the one accolade that has eluded him so far in his career.
Is Messi injured?
Lionel Messi appeared to be holding his hamstring during the Croatia game, but luckily, it looks like he will be fine for the final.
Messi didn’t seem to be troubled by his hamstring after half-time.
The attacker was able to complete game against Croatia without being substituted, grabbing himself a goal and two assists for good measure, and barring a further knock in training this week, he should be fit and ready to start his second World Cup Final at the weekend.
Whether or not Messi will be lining up against France or Morocco remains to be seen, but, one thing is for sure, all eyes will be on the Argentine number 10 this weekend.
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