Didier Deschamps has claimed even some French people want Lionel Messi to win the World Cup Final.
Argentina superstar Messi, 35, is desperate to write another chapter in his glittering career by winning the biggest trophy of all. It would be a fairytale ending for one of the all time greats who has confirmed this will be his last World Cup and Deschamps admits that it feels like the world is against France.
France boss Deschamps, who is trying to retain the trophy four years after lifting it in Russia, said: “I know Argentina and maybe some French people would hope Lionel Messi can win the World Cup but we are going to do everything to achieve our objective.
“When you prepare for a game like this you have to remain composed. In the World Cup Final you have a match but also a whole context behind it and the objective is to come out with the title.
“I often get that feeling but I am fine being alone, that doesn’t bother me, These uncertainties always arrive, we are here and have done everything we can to be well prepared for tomorrow’s game versus Argentina.”
Deschamps is also sweating on the fitness of key defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate who have been the latest players to be struck by a virus which also affected Adrien Rabiot and Upamecano and ruled them out of the semi final. Manchester United defender Varane and Liverpool centre half Konate missed training on Friday.
Deschamps added: “I don’t want to go into details. I know it is a subject of interest to you and I fully understand that but we are doing our best to take precautions and adapt and live with it. We would have preferred not to face this but are managing it as best as we can.”
Deschamps also described being France manager as the “most wonderful thing” to happen in his career.
“I played for France and that was a wonderful achievement and to be coach for so long has been tremendous," he continued.
“I am delighted to be France coach but the most important thing is the team. I am at the service of the team and have been for 10 years. It is about the team but I am not the most important person here. It won’t depend on tomorrow’s result."
France knocked out Argentina in Russia four years ago at the last 16 stage on the way to winning the World Cup.
But Deschamps insists that Argentina are a different side this time and also that his team have come through different challenges, are better for the experience but they cannot take anything for granted.
Deschamps added: “I have just said for a final you always need to prepare slightly differently because emotions can affect players differently.
“I would have said in 2016 it wasn’t perfect for the Euros final but 2018 was much better and the players who were there did a tremendous job, when it is a first final for a player they don’t know what to expect.
“But it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t deal with your emotions that well. In my team talk and discussions with players I bear in mind that every player is different.”
“It is not the same Argentina team at all so there is no point comparing, it was a round of 16 match and the players were completely different. The line ups were different, the style and game plans. But our experience helps us.”
