France star Olivier Giroud has told rival Lionel Messi to forget about fulfilling his World Cup dream.
Messi will look to complete the fairytale end to his amazing career on Sunday when Argentina take on the reigning champions in the showpiece final in Doha's Lusail Stadium.
Messi finished as a runner-up in Brazil in 2014 and was left heartbroken following Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Germany in Rio. The footballing icon is desperate to get his hands on the one trophy that has eluded him - after admitting this will be his last World Cup.
But Giroud has warned Messi the holders have no intention of giving up their crown - and will do everything in their power to leave him devastated again.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal hitman said: "Messi is an incredible player, but we are not going to let him enjoy the best night he can have.
"We want to win this game. We want to win another World Cup - and we will try everything to stop him. But there is not only Messi in that team. They have got great players who work for the team also. I think that is why they are so strong.”
At Russia 2018 France beat Argentina 4-3 to dump Messi out of the World Cup in the last 16 stage, before going on to lift the trophy.
Midfielder N'Golo Kante man-marked Messi that night - and Giroud has hinted his men could do the same again this weekend.
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He added: "I don't know if we need a special plan. I remember back in the days of 2018, N’Golo [Kante] was all the game on his back, behind him. But this time I don't know what will be the plan. We will see with the manager.”
Full-back Theo Hernandez, who broke the deadlock in Wednesday night's semi-final triumph over Morocco, has echoed Giroud's sentiments and insisted that France do not fear Messi, who will take to the stage at a World Cup for the final time on Sunday.
"Playing two World Cup finals in a row is an incredible moment. We did a good job, it was hard, but we are in the final,” Hernandez told Italian station RAI Sport after the 2-0 win over Morocco. “We will work hard to win this final.
"Now we have to think about the final. I'm tired, but it's nice to win a World Cup semi-final. Now let's recover for Sunday. Messi doesn't scare us, Argentina are an incredible team but we have a few days to work."
