World Cup 2022 - Deschamps and the French are in the final, because they fear Messi

The Ballon d'Or striker suffered a minor injury even before the tournament, but Deschamps called him into the squad nonetheless. Although he was injured again a day before the opening day and traveled to Madrid, the professional staff did not name anyone in his place, so he remained a member of the squad.

Since the 34-year-old Benzema has started training with Real Madrid in the meantime, there has been talk of the possibility that he will not only travel to the Lusail final against Argentina on Sunday, but even play on the field. At the press conference after the semi-final, Deschamps was asked a question about this, and the 54-year-old world and European champion as a player responded: "I will not answer, next question!"

Deschamps described winning the semi-final as an "emotional and proud" moment, but admitted it was not an easy match.

"But we showed our quality, our experience and our team spirit," stressed Deschamps, who, if he wins the final, can double as the second national team captain after Vittorio Pozzo, who led the Italian national team to the World Cup gold in 1934 and 1938.

"We will need all our strength and energy, we will meet a very competitive team, in which one of the legendary figures of the sport, Lionel Messi, will also be there," predicted Hugo Lloris, who, with his 19th World Cup match, is tied for first in the all-time ranking of goalkeepers with Germany's Manuel Neuer.

Antoine Griezmann, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner who led the rival South American team in Sunday's final, also praised his former Barcelona teammate.

"Any team that comes up with Messi is an extremely tough opponent," he stated.

In the bronze medal match in al-Rajjan on Saturday at 16:00 Hungarian time, Morocco will meet the Croatian team, the last finalist, and the final will also take place on Sunday at 16:00 in Luszail.

(Source: Source: sportrajongo.hu, mti/Photo: pixabay, mti)