That scenario would revive the unforgettable 2022 final in Qatar, where Argentina lifted the trophy on penalties after Mbappe scored a hat trick in one of the greatest individual World Cup performances. France enters the current tournament among the favorites with a loaded attacking squad built around the 27-year-old, while Argentina remains one of the strongest sides in international soccer.
When asked what would happen if France met Messi and Argentina in another World Cup final, Mbappe left little doubt about his ambitions.
We will be determined and hungry to win, as always.
He also emphasized that France's mission goes beyond a deep run.
We are here to make history. We are yet to do it. We want this World Cup.
Based on the official knockout bracket structure, Argentina and France would sit on opposite sides of the elimination stage if both advance from their groups, meaning they could not meet until a championship match. For another Mbappe versus Messi World Cup clash to happen, both nations would need to navigate every knockout round and reach the final again.
The rivalry already spans the 2018 Round of 16, when France eliminated Argentina, and the 2022 final revenge for Messi and Argentina. Messi enters the tournament with 13 World Cup goals and needs four more to move past Miroslav Klose's all-time record, while Mbappe has 12 goals across two World Cup appearances and needs five more to claim the mark himself.
