World cup final

Messi will kick up again

FRANCE - NORWAY

Messi always shows up for the big moments, wouldn’t bet against him tbh

Messi in a World Cup final is must-watch, guy lives for those moments honestly

Messi in a final just hits different, hope we get another iconic moment from him 🐐

Messi always delivers when it matters most, let's see if he has one more magical moment in him

Messi really does save his best for these stages, I'm just hoping the match lives up to the hype too

Messi in a final is pure cinema, man doesn’t miss when the lights are brightest.

id rather see him control the midfield like the dtch game instead of just poaching goals tbh. his playmaking is way more dangerous than just waiting for a tap in.

if the defenders sit deep he wont get the same space as last time tbh

i remember his free kick vs france still gives chills

That Netherlands gmae really showed how much smarter he reads the space now, I lost count of how many times he switched play with one touch and completely broke their press.

Messi dropping deeper to orchestrate the attack feels way more dangerous now than relying on him to be the finisher, especially with how teams will pack the box. I think his passing vision unlocks things that even a perfectly timed run couldn't.

do you think he starts up top again or drops into that false 9 spot where he's moore involved in the build up

do you guys think he actually means that like are we just getting blind faiith or was there some recent interview that i missed

Messi dropping back to pull the strings makes it so defenders get dragged out of position, leavig huge gaps for the runners. Just watch how many times he draws two guys then slips a ball behind for Alvarez to chase.

Honestly I don't see him having the same legs as last time, he looked gassed in the semis after like 70 minutes. Its gonna be tough to run the whhole game again even if his brain is still miles ahead of everyone else.

You really think he still has that burst to get past defenders in the final third though, like I keep seeing him drop deeper more often now so is he actually gonna be the one finishing chances or just feeding them?

I still remember watching the last final at a packed bar where everyone just froze when he chipped that penalty.

i feel like we saw that drop deeper thing in the last few club games too like hes almost playing as a 6 at times now not a 9 so "kick up" could just mean pinging a crzy assist honestly

I actually think the final will be more about him managing the tempo than producing another burst of magic himself, especially if France sits deep to avoid counters.

If you're watching closely, track how many times he drifts to the right half spce instead of staying central, that's where he'll cut the passing lanes open for Alvarez to make the near post run.

He always finds that extra gear when a trophy is on the liine though

I'd put my chips on him delivering that killer through ball rather than scoring himself honestly, the way he's dropping back he can split a defense open without needing the pace to sprint through

Honestly I'd bet on him to pull something ridiculous out of nowhere even if he's walking half the match. Do you think Di Maria strts this time or do they hold him back for chaos off the bench again?

Yeah but the odds on him scoring first are way juicier now that the bookies have noticed he drops deep, it's likke the market forgot he still takes pens and free kicks in a final.

Honestly I think he'll drop deep to dictate play rather than score himself, his finihing has been a bit off lately anyway. That assist to Alvarez seems way more likely than a solo goal at this point.

I watched the last final at a small cafe in Rome and the owner just poured everyone a free espresso after Messi's second goal, that kind of joy is rare

Honestly I expect another scrappy penalty rebound goal from him just like in the grup stage.

The phrase "kick up again" makes it sound like a casual Sunday league match rather than the biggest stage in football.

Watch his movement right after the ball goes out of play, you can almost predict when he'll switch it on again

tbh i just want to see if he gets the ball in the left half space where he can cut in on his right, cause if they force him wide his influence fades fast and then it's all just hopeful crosses