France Argentina | The world behind Messi and against the Blues? “It would be sad if it ended without being crowned”

A World Cup final is enough on its own. It carries within it the story of the game and the legend to be written, whoever the actors are. This is how it is and this is what has made its greatness for nearly a century. Nevertheless, the opus number 21 (note: there was no final in 1950) has this little something more than many of its predecessors. If the meeting in Berlin in 2006 sounded the sporting death knell for Zinédine Zidane, the meeting in Lusail on Sunday will pit Lionel Messi against his own legend.

For his last in the World Cup, the Argentinian with seven Ballons d’Or will try to win THE ultimate title. The greatest, the one who has always refused him since his debut. At 35 years old. A huge double or quits. Undoubtedly the greatest individual stake in the history of the World Cup finals.

France will hardly make feelings with La Pulga. Because she has better things to do, like winning a second World Cup in a row. But the world, what does it think? Wouldn’t the planet want to see Lionel Messi lift the World Cup rather than see the Blues put the cover back four years after Russia? To find out, we asked here and there.

Number 1 spectators of this World Cup while Italy is once again not partying, the Transalpins that we interviewed lean on the Argentinian side. “Italy will be mostly behind Argentina. There is too much rivalry with France, and then it’s difficult to support it against Messi”judge Francesco Pietrella of the Gazzetta dello Sport. “I think a lot of people are keen to see Messi win the World Cup final on Sunday.abounds Stefano Dolci, of Eurosport Italy. There aren’t that many fans of the French team here, apart from maybe Stefano Pioli, for his AC Milan players.”

In Germany, the same story: “It would be sad to see Messi end his career without the World Cup. I don’t know the general feeling but, to those I’ve spoken to, it’s ‘all for Argentina’. Not because of Messi , but because they don’t want to see a team win twice in a row.”judge Dennis Melzer, journalist at Eurosport.de.

The English and Argentina, it’s not really that. Historically. And in addition, we like Cristiano Ronaldo on the other side of the Channel. “I think England don’t have a preference, and the older generation has some bad memories with Argentina”confirms Pete Sharland, English journalist.

Ronaldo – Messi, we’re getting there. What about Portugal? Sergio Peralta, journalist of maisfutebol, will amaze you: “Although it may be what other European countries imagine, don’t imagine that a victory for Lionel Messi with Argentina would be a tragedy for us. Especially not. The Portuguese are very sad that Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t “didn’t succeed. It affects the country a lot. But that’s not why they don’t want Messi to be world champion. Many will be very happy that this trophy is finally the one that best rewards the talent of Messi. In Portugal, people know how to appreciate his genius.”

Even in Brazil, which does not only share good memories and warm relations with Argentina, part of the population would welcome a triumph of the neighbor and, above all, of Lionel Messi. Rivaldo is the first of them. “Brazil and Neymar are no longer there, so I’m for Argentina. Leo Messi, you deserved to be world champion earlier, but God knows it and you will be crowned on Sunday”he wrote on Instagram.

South of the Mediterranean, the feeling is more shared. Especially in Algeria. “From what I perceive, I have the impression that we have a fairly neutral eye, except probably among the long-time admirers of Lionel Messi, judge Naïm Bennedra, journalist for Goal. And there are many on the Algerian side. If Morocco had been in the final, we would have felt more concerned, between the prospect of having a neighbor in the final, to want their happiness or their misfortune. I still think it will lean a little more on the Argentinian side, because there is a rivalry between us and France but, in general, there is no hostility towards the French. Above all, we hope for a nice final.”

BBC Africa’s Babacar Diarra gives us the Senegalese perspective: “People have an overwhelming passion for Senegal, Real and Barca. So that gives an indication of what people think here. FC Barcelona fans are very keen for Lionel Messi to win.” And France in all this? Even if there may be an anti-French feeling, there is still a good third of Senegalese who will support the Blues on Sunday”.