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Qatar 2022: Messi poised for ultimate majesty as Morocco fall short of miracle

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Lionel Messi (Getty)
Lionel Messi (Getty)

The global football community will be glued to their screens on Sunday as Argentina and France clash in a FIFA World Cup final that is as heavyweight as it gets. 

The headliner, undeniably, will be Lionel Messi. 

Playing in his final World Cup - his fifth since 2006 - Messi has dazzled in Qatar, reminding of why he is considered by so many to be the greatest to ever play this game. 

It is so difficult to compare players across generations and to settle on who the 'GOAT' is, but if Messi lands the grandest prize in football on Sunday to go along with his seven Ballon dOrs, 2008 Olympic gold, 2021 Copa America crown and his 10 La Liga titles, then he will surely eclipse anybody else in that conversation. 

Messi has been awe-inspiring for nearly two decades, and regardless of what happens on Sunday, his legacy will remain intact. One can't help but feel, though, that this is the final chapter in the script of one of the most glorious sporting stories ever told. 

Morocco, meanwhile, had their own incredible journey, and while it was heartbreaking to see them knocked out of the semi-finals on Wednesday, the enormity of what they have achieved over the last month should not be understated. 

No African side had ever ventured this deep into a World Cup, and they can go one step further by beating Croatia on Saturday to claim third place. 

Then, on Sunday, the world will hold its collective breath and look on, expecting a blockbuster. When these sides met in the Round of 16 four years ago, France emerged 4-3 winners in an epic. 

That scoreline is unlikely to be repeated, but with the stakes this high, it still has all the makings of a classic. 

We have thoroughly enjoyed covering the tournament for you, and we thank you for making News24 Sport your FIFA World Cup destination. 

Saturday:

3rd/4th place playoff: Morocco v Croatia - 17:00

Sunday:

Final: Argentina v France - 17:00

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