Jurgen Klinsmann says will be the only player in the Lusail Stadium who does not have to put in the hard yards.
Klinsmann, who heads up FIFA’s technical study group, expects a tight, high-tempo game but believes others will do 35-year-old Messi’s running for him.
The German said: “(Julian) Alvarez has to do the defensive work – they let him (Messi) breathe for the special moments. The brilliance of Messi is the difference-maker. You put all your cards into his pocket – that is normal. One of the big discussions before the tournament was about which of the big superstars would put a stamp on the tournament and most of them have delivered.
“But if you had to take a special player from the tournament, most would take Messi in their baggage.”
The technical study group’s debrief concluded, unsurprisingly, that a lot of games were won and lost in a congested central area and Klinsmann reckons the contest, for entertainment’s sake, will need an early breakthrough.
He explained: “The two teams are similar in their approach – they react tremendously well to what happens and then they counter-break with explosive speed.
“It will be fascinating to see who comes out first to take more risks. They will one neutralising each other early on, no-one wanting to go too high.
“That is why, from a fan’s perspective, it would help us to see an early goal.”
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Arsene Wenger, speaking at the debrief from the FIFA technical study, says the onus on Lionel Messi to produce a match-winning performance is huge.
“He played against my team ( Arsenal ) for Barcelona in the Champions League final in 2006,” smiled Wenger. “For him to still be doing this 16 years later is something we should all celebrate.
“But Messi and Kylian Mbappe are under pressure to deliver something special. And Messi is under more pressure than ever to come up with something spectacular.
