There really haven't been too many more dramatic football matches than what we saw in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. A game full of raw emotion, countless swings and the dream ending to the now-surely-considered greatest of all time's international career.
It was always the big one for Lionel Messi, the World Cup. And now the Argentine icon can say he has won everything there is to win at club level and on the international stage. Two goals from the little magician helped Argentina to a third World Cup trophy.
Even the absolutely brilliant, hat-trick-getting, Kylian Mbappe couldn't stop him. It really was a final for the ages – one that summed up a stupendous World Cup.
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But with the return of club football now just days away, managers will be tasked with ensuring their returning players are in the right condition to be used again. Coaches will have learned a lot from the dramatic tournament in Qatar. football.london takes a look at what Chelsea head coach Graham Potter will have taken away from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Brilliant Ziyech inspires Morocco
There's no doubting Morocco were the surprise package of the World Cup. There always seems to be one country that shocks the world with their performances and the Africans, who became the first nation from the continent to reach the semi-finals of the competition, were certainly that.
They couldn't have done so without the help of Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, who was brilliant throughout the tournament. The 29-year-old inspired Morocco to a fourth-place finish and has surely sent a message to Potter ahead of his return to Cobham.
Whether that's one where he gets more of a chance in the Chelsea first-team, or whether he's driven his price up ahead of the January transfer window remains to be seen. But Ziyech showcased his undeniable talent in Qatar.
Gvardiol the real deal
The team that beat Morocco in the third-place play-off, Croatia, continued to defy odds for the second World Cup on the bounce. After finishing runners-up in Russia four years ago, the Croatians this time came in third-place after losing to eventual champions Argentina in the semi-finals.
One man who epitomised Croatia's performances at the competition was Josko Gvardiol. The RB Leipzig defender, who continues to be strongly linked with a move to Chelsea next summer amid long-term interest from the west Londoners, was brave, tenacious and super mature for someone who is just 20 years of age.
Gvardiol played every one of Croatia's seven games in Qatar and aside from being beaten by Messi it's hard to remember a time he put a foot wrong. However, that might not be all good news for Chelsea because if Gvardiol wasn't known on the world stage beforehand, he definitely is now. It comes as good news for Leipzig, who have become well known for their selling model in recent years.
What Pulisic can offer
In a similar way to Ziyech, Christian Pulisic is someone who will be desperate for more of an opportunity at Chelsea when the Premier League returns. The American helped USA qualify from their group, but couldn't get them past the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Pulisic was superb for the United States in those games, particularly against England, where he produced a Man of the Match display in the goalless draw. He recently spoke about his future and insisted he was focused on finishing the season with Chelsea but didn't close the door on a move away in the summer.
The next few months are absolutely crucial for the 24-year-old's future at Stamford Bridge. He has shown what he can offer Chelsea in the past, but not on a consistent basis. He'll be hoping if Potter hands him the chance, then he can show his new head coach the sort of form he produced after Project Restart in 2020.
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