The 2022 FIFA World Cup is coming to an end this weekend when France FC and Argentina FC fight it out to lift the coveted trophy. The world cup has been wildly entertaining, with its fair share of shocking upsets, meme fests, and viral moments. So it’s safe to expect the final to offer a truly incredible and memorable experience as well.
As in any world cup, certain players have stood out from the crowd due to their skills on the field, and not surprisingly, a few of them have managed to make it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup final as well. So with the final just around the corner, let’s take a closer look at the five players who can single-handedly change the flow of the match.
FIFA World Cup Predictions: Which Team Is The Odds-On Favourite?
The Argentina and France national football team players to watch
1. The Ace: Kylian Mbappé
Team: France
Position: Forward
Age: 23
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
The star player to watch out for during the Argentina and France final is undoubtedly Kylian Mbappé. The France FC forward player has had an incredible tournament, scoring five goals so far. All eyes will be on him as he’s also in the race to win the coveted Golden Boot this year, with only one other player in the running to potentially overtake him.
Just how fast is @KMbappe? 🤔
Check out the @FrenchTeam star’s top 3️⃣ sprints in #Qatar2022 including the one he made against @England 🏃📈⚡#FIFAWorldCup #WorldsGreatestShow #FIFAWConJioCinema #FIFAWConSports18 pic.twitter.com/i7BnzDlT6R
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) December 12, 2022
2. The Veteran: Lionel Messi
Team: Argentina
Position: Forward
Age: 35
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
In what is said to be his last match, tournament, and FIFA World Cup playing for the Argentina National Team, Lionel Messi is poised to make history. Not only can he help win his nation their third World Cup, but he can also win the coveted Golden Boot if he manages to overtake Kylian Mbappé. Messi has been in incredible form throughout the tournament, putting up a great performance in match after match. Not only is he tied with Mbappé as the leading World Cup goal scorer, but he has also rescued his team on multiple occasions by scoring crutch goals, making brilliant assists, and motivating his teammates. If Argentina ends up winning the tournament, it’ll be because of Messi.
Magical 🪄#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/Wz3cocaGYH
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
3. The Marksman: Olivier Giroud
Team: France
Position: Forward
Age: 36
Club: A.C. Milan
Just like Messi, Olivier Giroud is another senior player in the tournament who is in incredible form. Having scored four goals already, including a crucial header against England that secured France’s place in the semi-final, it’ll be interesting to see how he performs in the final against Argentina’s defence. Don’t be surprised if, yet again, Giroud ends up scoring a crutch goal that decides the match and gets his nation the trophy.
France’s all-time leading marksman has been on fire in Qatar 🔥#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 12, 2022
4. The Protégé: Julián Álvarez
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Team: Argentina
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Club: Manchester City
The youngest player on this list has had an incredible FIFA World Cup so far. Don’t let his age let you underestimate him as he’s actually been a leading goal-scorer for his country, right behind Messi. His four goals also include two that were scored against Croatia in the semi-final. In fact, one of those goals was the result of a brilliant solo-run that showed an incredible amalgamation of skills, control, and speed. We are truly seeing a star-making world cup run from the Argentina FC player which might just culminate with Álvarez’s best performance in the final.
🇦🇷✨ pic.twitter.com/kIl1yQsNQn
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
5. The Wild Card: Hugo Lorris
Team: France
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 35
Club: Manchester City
Here’s the wildcard of the match. French Goalkeeper Hugo Lorris deserves as much credit for France FC’s dominance as the team’s strikers. Having made some incredible saves against England and a spirited Morocco, Lorris will be instrumental in deciding if France lift the trophy on Sunday. Lorris also plays in the same club as Julián Álvarez, so he might be able to hold of the young Argentinian player in ways other goalkeepers just can’t.
(Main and feature image credits: Courtesy Instagram/@FIFAWorldCup)
