Lionel Messi will become the all-time record appearance-maker at the World Cup after being named in Argentina's starting lineup for the 2022 final against France.
The 35-year-old will make history before he has even kicked a ball at the Lusail Stadium as he will walk out on the biggest international stage for the 26th and final time for this afternoon's showpiece event, surpassing the previous record held by Lothar Matthaus (25).
Messi – who is looking to win his first-ever World Cup as well as the Golden Boot – is one of nine players who retains his place in Argentina's starting lineup, with head coach Lionel Scaloni opting to recall Marcos Acuna and Angel di Maria for their final match in Qatar.
After missing the semi-final victory over Croatia due to suspension, Acuna returns at left-back at the expense of Nicolas Tagliafico, while Di Maria is selected to start ahead of Leandro Paredes who drops to the substitutes' bench.
The inclusion of Di Maria will see Argentina switch to a 4-3-3 formation, with the experienced Juventus winger joining in-form attackers Messi and Julian Alvarez in the front three.
Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul continue in the middle of the pitch, while Acuna is joined in the back four by Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero, shielding goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
As for France, Didier Deschamps has decided to make two changes to the side that beat Morocco in the semi-finals, with Dayot Upamecano replacing Ibrahima Konate at centre-back and Adrien Rabiot returning in centre-midfield at the expense of Youssouf Fofana.
Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud, who are both competing with Messi and Alvarez for the Golden Boot, retain their places in attack along with Ousmane Dembele, while Antione Griezmann will continue to roam in the No.10 role between midfield and attack.
Argentina are looking to win their third World Cup and their first since 1986, while France are also bidding to lift the trophy for a third time as well as become the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to retain their crown.
Argentina starting lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
Subs: Armini, Rulli, Foyth, Tagliafico, Li. Martinez, Pezzella, La. Martinez, Gomez, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Paredes, Dybala, G. Rodriguez
France starting lineup: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Subs: Mandanda, Areola, Pavard, Disasi, Guendouzi, Kolo Muani, Veretout, Saliba, Konate, Coman, Camavinga, Fofana, Thuram
No Data Analysis info
