Heavyweights

It comes down to two of world football’s heavyweights, France and Argentina. When the World Cup tournament started I had three teams, basically my sentimental favorites. France, because my favorite player is N’golo Kante; Croatia, because I love watching Luka Modric command the midfield; and Belgium, because of Eden Hazard and Kevin DeBruyne, both of whom played for Chelsea at one time. Belgium looked old and tired and didn’t make it out of the group stage; Croatia were defeated by Lionel Messi and Argentina, though I think Croatia deserves lots of credit and praise for making it to the Final in 2018 and the Semi-Final in 2022. How does tiny Croatia consistently produce so many footballers of the highest quality, who play in all of Europe’s top divisions? The country is a football factory. 

France is missing three key players, Karim Benzema, N’golo Kante, and Paul Pogba. Benzema is a big absence because he’s a big game player and always a scoring threat, Kante a midfield giant when healthy and in form, and Pogba is an athletic midfielder who can join in the attack and provides good passing range. Despite missing these players, the French have reached the Final for the second World Cup in a row. It’s still a very good team, an experienced team. If Adrien Rabiot is fit I will feel good about France’s chance to repeat. 

Argentina has Messi. What more needs to be said? Messi is the ultimate X-factor and this tournament has an air of destiny about it. I can’t explain it other than to say it’s like Lionel Messi is going to get his ultimate prize, no matter what France does. Messi is likely to produce a moment of sheer genius. He’s hard to contain for 90 minutes, and he only needs one opportunity to beat you. 

Messi also has quality players around him, and Argentia are a cohesive unit. They have displayed more solidity than flair, overall, which is how World Cups are won. It’s hard to bet against Argentina. In football, time is an implacable enemy, and this Final is surely Messi’s last chance to add a World Cup to his legendary list of accomplishments. In these circumstances, I give the little magician the edge against a French defense that has seemed vulnerable at times. 

No disrespect to Kylian Mbappe. Like Messi he could easily come up with one moment of magic.

Which side will control the midfield? Which side will take its chances? The French have been very clinical in front of goal. Can they do so again? 

I can’t wait until Sunday. It’s going to be a joy.