The 2022 Qatar World Cup final is here with Argentina facing defending champions France. So, HITC Football looks at who joins Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in a combined XI.
Messi and Mbappe have spearheaded their respective nation’s bid to reach the showpiece FIFA tie on Sunday, December 18. The Lusail Iconic Stadium affair is also the second World Cup final both forwards have featured in. But only the Bleus talisman has lifted the trophy.
Mbappe burst onto the global scene in Russia four years ago as France won the second of their titles yet. While Messi lost 1-0 to Germany in the only World Cup final he has played in at Brazil 2014. Les Bleus also eliminated La Albiceleste during the Round of 16 in 2018.
Honours are at stake for Argentina and France’s XIs in the World Cup final
Argentina could now take revenge on France by beating Didier Deschamps’ XI in the 2022 World Cup final on Sunday. It would be the South American’s third title after triumphs as the hosts in 1978 and at Mexico 1986. France also secured their first title as the hosts in 1998.
Personal awards are also at stake for Messi and Mbappe as the pair go into the World Cup final leading the Golden Boot race with five goals each. The gong is currently leaning to the Argentine with three assists to the Frenchman’s two if they remain locked on goals scored.
But Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez could also steal the Golden Boot with the France and Argentina strikers on four goals each so far. Whoever delivers the best performance in the World Cup final could also steal the Golden Ball, which Messi won for his Brazil 2014 form.
Croatia captain Luka Modric also took the Golden Ball despite losing to France in the 2018 World Cup final. While each team’s defenders and goalkeepers can have a huge say in who lifts the most expensive gong in all of sports to finish Qatar 2022 a week before Christmas.
Deschamps and his Albiceleste counterpart, Lionel Scaloni, are blessed with richly talented squads. So, HITC Football has taken a look at who would play beside Messi and Mbappe in a combined XI from Argentina and France, the sides to battle in the 2022 World Cup final…
Emiliano Martinez (GK): The Argentina star edges France’s Lloris in our combined XI
Argentina star Emiliano Martinez edges Hugo Lloris of France in our combined XI. He could also soon edge the Bleus goalkeeper at Tottenham Hotspur as Dean Jones claims Spurs are looking at the Aston Villa star. Antonio Conte is considering a swoop for the summer sales.
Aston Villa will want more for Martinez than the £17m they paid Arsenal in 2020 to sell the shot-stopper, especially as a World Cup winner. He has been vital with Argentina at Qatar 2022 so far, particularly after he saved two Dutch penalties in their quarter-final shootout.
Nahuel Molina (RB): A complete package in Argentina’s XI ready to face France
Nahuel Molina of Argentina features ahead of France defender Jules Kounde at right-back in our combined XI. He has offered Scaloni a complete package in the position during their run to the final. The 24-year-old also hit his first international goal against the Netherlands.
Ibrahima Konate (CB): Deschamps cannot take him out of France’s XI vs Argentina
Deschamps must now accept he cannot take Ibrahima Konate out of the France XI to play Dayot Upamecano against Argentina. His decision to start the latter against England in the quarter-finals was almost costly as they made the Bayern Munich ace very uncomfortable.
Konate could only watch from the bench as Upamecano failed to get to grips with Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane. Yet the Liverpool 23-year-old came in for the semi-finals and he shut Morocco down. He made an array of interceptions and did well to deny Youssef En-Nesyri.
Raphael Varane (CB): The safety net of Deschamps’ defence wants a second title
Raphael Varane will want to end Qatar 2022 as a two-time World Cup winner after beating Croatia in the 2018 final. He has also been Deschamps’ safety net at the back throughout this winter’s edition. The Manchester United man’s leadership has particularly been vital.
Nicolas Tagliafico (LB): Messi could have a field day against France’s Hernandez
Nicolas Tagliafico has only started two ties at the 2022 World Cup behind Marcos Acuna in Argentina’s pecking order. Yet when he has, the 30-year-old has been solid at the back and kept Croatia quiet in the semi-final tie. Scaloni has also seen him overlap well in the attack.
Likewise, Deschamps has seen Theo Hernandez join in with France’s attacking forays since replacing his brother, Lucas, after his injury. But Messi may have a field day against the AC Milan full-back after seeing Saka run rings around the defensively susceptible 25-year-old.
Enzo Fernandez (CDM): Liverpool are now ready to go to war for his signature
Enzo Fernandez burst onto the World Cup stage with his beautiful goal against Mexico. The 21-year-old has since been a mainstay of Argentina’s XI in their last four games en route to the final with France. He is also now a very sought-after option for some of the elite teams.
But Record notes Benfica will demand his €120m (£103m) release clause be paid to sell the midfielder in January. Yet Liverpool will match any bid to sign Fernandez, per O Jogo. While Sport cites Chelsea and Barcelona among his suitors and 90min names Manchester United.
Aurelien Tchouameni (CDM): France have not suffered without Pogba and Kante
France suffered two huge blows ahead of the 2022 World Cup with N’Golo Kante requiring hamstring surgery and a thigh injury ruling Paul Pogba out. Yet Deschamps has not been at a disadvantage with Aurelien Tchouameni stepping up to offer a robust, central presence.
Lionel Messi (RM): Could another Golden Ball follow in the World Cup final?
Messi won the Golden Ball for carrying Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014 with four goals and one assist. He hit each of his goals in the first round to see that they made it out of Group F. Now, he has inspired La Albiceleste to make another final at his last World Cup.
- WORLD CUP: MESSI IS THE ONLY SURVIVOR OF ARGENTINA’S 2014 FINAL XI IN QATAR
- WORLD CUP: MESSI AND MODRIC ARE AMONG ALL 10 GOLDEN BALL AWARD WINNERS
Antoine Griezmann (CAM): The heartbeat of everything Deschamps wants in attack
Antoine Griezmann has been the heartbeat of everything Deschamps has wanted from his attack at Qatar 2022 so far. The Atletico Madrid man pulls the strings with effortless grace. But he is not afraid to drop in deeper and do the nitty gritty work to grab possession back.
Kylian Mbappe (LM): A Golden Boot and Golden Ball can become the forward’s
Mbappe became just the third teenager after Brazil icon Pele in 1958 and England forward Michael Owen in 1998 to win the Best Young Player Award in 2018. Now, the 23-year-old can add a Golden Ball and/or a Golden Boot to his already-packed trophy cabinet in 2022.
Olivier Giroud (ST): He’s only in France’s XI due to Benzema’s injury but has been key
Giroud is only in France’s XI at Qatar 2022 after Karim Benzema sustained a thigh injury in training before the World Cup. Yet he has been as important as almost anyone to Les Bleus reaching another final by giving Mbappe, Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele a focal point.
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