France manager Didier Deschamps has opened up on how France will approach dealing with Lionel Messi in the World Cup final.
Les Bleus meet La Albiceleste on Sunday in the 2022 showpiece, in search of back-to-back World Cup crowns. The two sides previously met in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup, with France narrowly prevailing in a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Messi didn’t score that day, but Deschamps drew on the game when discussing France’s plans to deal with him this time when speaking to Adil Rami for TF1: “We have already met him, do you remember?
“We will think about [the plan to nullify Messi]. Inevitably, there are precautions to be taken to limit his influence.”
He added: “Four years ago, we expected him to be more on the right and he was playing centre-forward. There, he is a playmaker, he has more freedom, so it will be more difficult to mark him.
“Unless he is sick, we don’t know,” he joked: “I don’t wish him [to be ill] of course.”
Messi has come up with a catalogue of tournament-defining moments so far in Qatar to help his country to the final in what is likely his last ever World Cup. He heads into the final joint-top of the scoring and assisting charts and put in another memorable display in the semi-final as Argentina breezed past Croatia, bagging another goal and assist in the process.
Deschamps, meanwhile, is currently having to work with a virus outbreak tearing through his squad. As many as five players have been taken ill ahead of the final.
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Florentino Bento - Dec 18, 2022 11:58 pm
I remember a French team doing everything possible to deny Ronaldo a World Cup in 1998 and succeeding albeit with two goals from Zizou and an inspiring captain in Deschamps. Will this be a repeat or will the great one turn the tables once again just like he did with Croatia?
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Michel Patrick - Dec 19, 2022 12:09 am
Yes, I feel similarly…well said. If only he played for France!
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Ayatullah Ayatul - Dec 19, 2022 1:00 am
I want Messi to win but not Argentina
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Saül Augustin - Dec 19, 2022 1:28 am
The officials will do everything for Argentina to win, but they wont.
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Yunalie Ahmad - Dec 19, 2022 1:35 am
Come on Les Bleus! Don’t let the cheats win the world cup
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Jnr Mahrez - Dec 19, 2022 1:54 am
Maybe Didier Deschamps should waste no time in inviting His Nibs RONALDO to sit on the France bench to help jinx Messi and Co.
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Rdwan Rdwan - Dec 19, 2022 1:57 am
Mbappe will win this game for France, he knows if he wins this game he has all but secured his first Ballon d’Or. Argentina are gonna have to hack him all game to have a chance, I won’t be surprised if Romero or Otamendi gets red carded.
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Mary Callaghan - Dec 19, 2022 2:02 am
Nah, France have other ways to score, we just hope the other Argentine players can step up if Messi is indeed stopped. Maradona’s mates did in their final
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Mhalo Ngullie - Dec 19, 2022 2:04 am
Stop Messi and that will stop Argentina. Stop Mbappe and that will stop France. It is about which side stops which player better.
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Hussain Khan - Dec 19, 2022 2:11 am
He become ” Beast Mode” when u try to Stop him. Play with the Pure talent you have and win the Cup.
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Rodrigues Barrada - Dec 19, 2022 2:12 am
France will batter the dirty Argies. Falklands – forever British.
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Oba Ego - Dec 19, 2022 2:13 am
As a neutral this is the worst final given the UKs history with France and Argentina on a personal note I think Messi deserves a world Cup winners medal
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Jo'elle Icard - Dec 19, 2022 2:15 am
The very very best : Messi
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - George Mcintosh - Dec 19, 2022 2:18 am
That’s gonna be in-vain he’s unstoppable
Didier Deschamps discusses France's tactical battle with Lionel Messi - Augusta Cotrin - Dec 19, 2022 2:25 am
Deus continue a abencoar_te,Messi!