Sports history is made in moments like these. Two of the world’s best players and two of the finest football teams prepare to collide in what is expected to be an epic clash for the world’s most coveted sports trophy.

Kylian Mbappe is the highest goal scorer in the 2022 World Cup, and The Blues’ star player. Aside from that, the Frenchman is also a former PSG teammate of Lionel Messi, the heir to Diego Maradona, and arguably one of the greatest footballers to have ever lived. This is a clash between the boy who wants to be king, and the king desperate and hungry for his crown.

Statistically, the odds are stacked against Mbappe’s France. Given that the last team to win the World Cup back-to-back was Brazil in 1958 and 1963, and before that, it was Italy in the 30s. The defending champions are looking to accomplish quite the feat there, but in all honesty, if anyone can do it, it’s this French team; composed, confident and the epitome of silent professionalism. As it stands, this looks very much like France’s tournament to lose.

However, this is Messi’s last shot at the World Cup, and his last shot at clinching the highest glory possible for a footballer. The stadium will cheer for Lionel Messi, as scores of Argentinians flock to Qatar to support their hero. France will face a hostile crowd, as they did in the match against Morocco.

But it is not only Argentinian fans who are desperate to see Messi finally fill Maradona’s shoes, a lot of people around the world also feel this way. As it stands, the only thing between Messi and his status as the world’s greatest footballer, is Mbappe and France.