World Cup final: France v Argentina combined XI includes Messi, Mbappe as Giroud misses out

The World Cup final takes place on Sunday afternoon at the Lusail Stadium. Argentina take on France and both teams are full of undoubted talent, with Kylian Mbappe leading Les Bleus and Lionel Messi doing Lionel Messi things for the South American country.

Combined XIs seem to be the rage and what bigger game is there in football than the World Cup final? None. Literally none. So we have made one here consisting of players from the two teams set to battle it out for the biggest prize in sport.

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (France)
Nothing like a controversial one to get things going. France captain Hugo Lloris has had a stellar tournament and has been there, done that and got the medal before with his country. Can he become the first captain to win back-to-back World Cups?

Aston Villa and Argentina shot-stopper Emi Martinez is brilliant, but I’m giving the edge to Tottenham skipper Lloris, who has proven in Qatar that he is still one of the best in the business.

Right-back: Jules Kounde (France)
Not the best of options here, really. Jules Kounde is a brilliant central defender and has been steady at right-back, despite looking quite dodgy there in his only appearance at last year’s European Championship.

Chelsea desperately wanted Kounde before he snubbed them for FC Barcelona and would probably be best suited for that right-centre-back role in a back five, but he does not have that luxury for his club or country so here’s in here at right-back.

The 24-year-old beats Argentina’s Nahuel Molina here.

Centre-back: Raphael Varane (France)
Four-time Champions League, four-time La Liga, one-time Nations League, and one-time World Cup winner Raphael Varane has done alright for himself, I’d say.

Varane’s time at Manchester United has not been great, but he has looked back to his best for France at this World Cup and comfortably gets into this team.

Centre-back: Cristian Romero (Argentina)
Yes, an Argentine player does get into our team. Eventually.

Cristian Romero is already the second Tottenham player in the team and has been excellent for the north Londoners since joining them in 2021. He has had a decent World Cup after recovering from injury, usually partnering Nicolas Otamendi, who has rolled back the years and is actually quite unlucky not to be in this XI.

There are a good few options to choose from here, but it was a relatively easy decision to select these two players. Lisandro Martinez, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, and William Saliba are all brilliant, but Romero gets in for me.

Left-back: Theo Hernandez (France)
Back to what we know here; and what we know is to include French players. Theo Hernandez replaced his brother, Lucas, in Didier Deschamps’ side after he suffered a horrible knee injury in Les Bleus’ opener against Australia. He has looked solid and even scored in the semi-final win against a brave and admirable Morocco side.

Theo has made a name for himself at AC Milan and I was honestly surprised that he did not start the tournament ahead of his brother.

The other options to choose from here were Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Tagliafico, so it was quite an easy one, unless I chose a completely different formation.

Defensive midfield: Aurelien Tchouameni (France)
I think you might be able to tell who I fancy winning the final. Although Argentina do have a tricky little fella up front who evens things up.

Real Madrid forked out €80million to beat Liverpool to the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni last summer, and it is clear to see why. The 22-year-old is a midfield general and probably would have started for France even if Paul Pogba and/or N’Golo Kante were fit.

There are some handy defensive midfielders to choose from out of these two groups, but none of them hold a candle to Tchouameni, whether it be Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Jordan Veretout or Youssouf Fofana.

Centre midfield: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
This guy is mint, isn’t he? 21 years of age. What a talent. Benfica have played an absolute blinder here signing him for peanuts last summer. Liverpool are reportedly interested and will need to cough up a lot to sign him.

Enzo Fernandez only had three caps prior to this World Cup. He now has six more after playing in every single game in Qatar. After coming off the bench in the opening two fixtures, Fernandez’s fantastic goal on matchday two saw him named in the starting XI for the next game, and he hasn’t been out of it since.

Should Argentina beat France, expect Fernandez to be named Young Player of the Tournament.

Centre midfield: Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina)
I must admit it was a tough decision between Rodrigo De Paul and Brighton’s Scottish/Irish/Argentine superstar Alexis Mac Allister. I have thought about the broader picture here. De Paul is brilliant, an absolute warrior in the middle of the pitch and this Mac Allister hype train will not make me think any differently.

De Paul epitomises this Argentina team. He is full of spirit and fight, and there is a reason he has started every game at these World Cup finals.

Attacking midfield: Antoine Griezmann (France)
What a World Cup this beautiful little footballer is having, pulling the strings from behind Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe. It has been an honour to watch Antoine Griezmann conduct this France side.

Previously a No. 9, Griezmann has adapted to this new role and has kept Les Bleus ticking, contributing defensively while creating lots of chances for those talented forwards in front of him. Griezmann is currently my frontrunner for the Golden Ball.

Striker: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
I mean, this one wasn’t up for debate. Neither is the next one. Or the one before him. The greatest of all time? That’s a conversation for another day, friends.

Five goals and three assists at this World Cup, Lionel Messi is hoping to win football’s biggest prize for the very first time on Sunday afternoon.

Striker: Kylian Mbappe (France)
He’s not bad either, to be fair. The Paris Saint-Germain front two was an easy decision, given the formation anyway.

Tied with Messi on five goals this tournament, Mbappe already has nine in World Cup finals, and this is only his second one. We think he might absolutely obliterate Miroslav Klose’s record.

It is unfortunate to see Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud – who both have four goals in Qatar – miss out, but it’s Messi and Mbappe you are competing with here. Either of these two could have the Golden Boot in their hands come Sunday evening, and I will have egg on my face.

Alvarez has four goals from eight shots this tournament, by the way. Just thought I’d point that out. Manchester City literally have him and Erling Haaland. B***ards.

Manager: Didier Deschamps (France)
Didier Deschamps led France to glory in 2018 and his side’s only defeat in Qatar was against Tunisia when he fielded his B-team. Even William Saliba played!