Jurgen Klinsmann says will be the only player in the Lusail Stadium who does not have to put in the hard yards.
Klinsmann, who heads up FIFA’s technical study group, expects a tight, high-tempo game but believes others will do 35-year-old Messi’s running for him.
The German said: “(Julian) Alvarez has to do the defensive work - they let him (Messi) breathe for the special moments. The brilliance of Messi is the difference-maker. You put all your cards into his pocket - that is normal. One of the big discussions before the tournament was about which of the big superstars would put a stamp on the tournament and most of them have delivered.