The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, atypical and decried, ends on Sunday (4:00 p.m.) in the fever of a stratospheric final between Argentina of the star Lionel Messi and France of the comet Kylian Mbappé, each stretched towards the dream of a third star.
Watch out for shock! In front of the mass of fiery Argentine supporters, two ambitions will collide at the Lusail stadium for a final in apotheosis which will provide intoxication on one side, distress on the other, a great classic of sports storytelling.
The World Cup guestbook features the faces of the winners, from Mario Kempes (1978) to Hugo Lloris (2018) via Diego Maradona (1986) and Zinédine Zidane (1998), historic figures of Albiceleste and bruises. Who will appear on the next page?
Four years after Moscow, France can win a second title in a row, an unprecedented performance since the Brazil of Pelé, Vava and Garrincha in 1962. Its hopes rest partly on Mbappé, soon to be 24, who made the World his “obsession”.
The Blues arrived in Qatar in a haze of disappointing results, plagued by tactical doubts and overwhelmed by a torrent of injuries. But they turned into a kind of cold monster who devoured the obstacles one after the other with resilience, solidarity, and the experience of the survivors of the Russian World Cup (Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Raphaël Varane…).
– “Be prepared to suffer” –
“What we have achieved is very strong, but it’s the most difficult last match,” said captain Lloris, aware that you have to “be ready to suffer, to make the effort, to surpass despite fatigue”.
The Tottenham goalkeeper faces an ogre of world football. At the twilight of his career, Messi (35) dreams of treating himself to the only trophy he lacks to finally become “King Leo”, thirty-six years after the title of “Dios” Maradona.
The genius with seven Ballons d’Or is accompanied by an army at his service: his lieutenants Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister in the middle, the “soldier” Nicolas Otamendi and his partner Cristian Romero in defense, the robust goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and the surprise offensive Julian Alvarez.
He will also be driven by the fantastic momentum of tens of thousands of supporters, unbearable in Doha for more than a month.
These noisy and overheated “hinchas” “give us the feeling of playing in Argentina”, assures “Dibu” Martinez, “we feel the people close to us in every match, in every stadium”.
“We have the best public in the world, they hope that we bring them happiness and that touches us”, supports coach Lionel Scaloni.
An advantage that nuance the madre Didier Deschamps. “They are a passionate people, they are fully behind their team”, but “our opponents will be on the ground, not in the stands”, retorts the French coach, captain of the first star in 1998 and coach during the second. in 2018.
– Shadow of the virus –
The boss of the Blues has other concerns in mind. The circulation of a virus within his group has indeed affected five potential holders in recent days, especially in defense. Vice-captain Raphaël Varane, feverish in the night from Thursday to Friday, only resumed collective training on Saturday, like Ibrahima Konaté and Kingsley Coman.
“We make sure to take as many precautions as possible, to adapt,” said Deschamps, without saying much more about this disease, which the management refuses to name.
Sanitary precautions were taken at the Hôtel des Bleus, with hydroalcoholic gel, the implementation of barrier gestures and the isolation of contaminated players.
The temperature will gradually rise between now and the kick-off, at 4:00 p.m. French time, of an unprecedented final in the history of the competition.
The final whistle will consecrate the genius of Messi or the precocity of Mbappé, the two heads of the gondola of Paris Saint-Germain under the Qatari banner, during this final organized on Qatar’s national day.
The small gas emirate, targeted by numerous extra-sporting controversies, offers itself maximum exposure at the end of the first World Cup organized in the Arab world, broadcast to the four corners of the globe and disputed in front of an audience of chefs. state, including the French President, Emmanuel Macron.