FIFA World Cup 2022: Five sensational storylines ahead of Argentina vs France final

December 17, 2022 Sports Tak Staff [{ "selector": ".cqwpc-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-331px) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".aegmi-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 9px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".meicu-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".nqxje-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "2500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".wjjja-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "2000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-172.5px) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Lionel Messi's last chance, Kylian Mbappe's shot at emulating Pele and more, the World Cup final is lashed with rich storylines.

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Let's take a look at the five must-know storylines ahead of the final between France and Argentina.

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Messi is heading into his second World Cup final, having been on the losing team in 2014.

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Messi needs to win the World Cup to join Pele and Diego Maradona in the pantheon of the greatest-ever players. Thus, the biggest storyline circles around Messi.

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Mbappe has a chance to emulate Pele's achievement in winning his first two World Cups — not just that but leading the team as its star player.

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Both Argentina and France are looking to win the World Cup for the 3rd time. It would leave the winning team in outright 4th place on the all-time list, behind Brazil (5), Germany and Italy (4 each).

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Deschamps has already won the World Cup as a player (1998) and a coach (2018). He now has a chance to complete a sensational treble.

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Four players are in realistic contention to win the Golden Boot. Of course, Messi and Mbappe are among them with 5 goals each. Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud have 4 goals to their name.

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