That Argentina game, of course, was the one that announced the thrilling talent of Kylian Mbappé to the world at large. Followers of European football had seen what he could do with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), but this was the first time he had sparkled on the world stage. And how! Argentina led for nine minutes in the second-half before Benjamin Pavard scored a once-in-a-lifetime equaliser, but it was Mbappé that buried Lionel Messi’s dream that day with two goals that showcased his searing pace, strength and clinical finishing.
Now, Mbappé is on the cusp of another World Cup trophy. It is universally accepted that he is the future, someone who will dazzle the world and win many more accolades for his country and club in the years to come.
The presence of Mbappé on the pitch is in itself a cause of excitement. Each time he gets the ball, there is a feeling that something extraordinary would happening. Take the semi-final against Morocco. France 1-0 up and the match was still in the balance. A slender one goal advantage isn’t ever enough. That’s when Mbappé got the ball. A lightning fast turn, a sudden burst of speed and he was in the penalty box in the blink of an eye.
And then it was wizardry. Mbappé just zigzagged his way through the Moroccan defence. The ball wouldn’t leave his feet and the world watched in awe. It was his stage. His amphitheatre. In front of French President Emmanuel Macron, it was all Mbappé. He was the pied piper in a team sport and billions were just hooked on to what he was doing. When he released the ball, Morocco’s defence decimated, all that the substitute had to do was tap the ball in to make it 2-0. The Moroccan miracle was over.
Second only to Just Fontaine in the all-time goal scorers list for France, the 24-year-old Mbappé is poised for greatness. He already is a great of our times. And Qatar 2022 has already seen the Mbappé blueprint. Time and again he has taken France ahead, giving them the edge a world champion side needs.
The combination of physical strength, pace and instinct make him unstoppable. Maybe that’s where he has an edge over Messi, the greatest that has played the game in this generation. With age, skill, pace and hunger all rolled into one, Mbappé is all set to make the Lusail Iconic Stadium his own for one final time tonight. He is the one standing between Messi and a fairy tale finish. If Argentina stop him, they stop France. It’s Messi v Mbappé. Final within a final.
