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| Kylian Mbappe (10) of France sprays water on his face at the end of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. France beat Morocco 2-0, to face Argentina in 2022 FIFA World Cup final. |
Italian coach Claudio Ranieri believes Kylian Mbappe is ‘the most similar player to Ronaldo’ but warns France that Leo Messi ‘has never been this decisive’ with Argentina.
Les Blues have reached their second World Cup Final in a row, the fourth since 1998, more than any other country in the last 24 years. They’ll meet Messi’s Argentina on Sunday.
“These are two strong teams, they don’t only depend on their best players. France have coped without the likes of Pogba, Kante and Benzema,” Ranieri told Gazzetta.
The Italian tactician believes that “everyone supported Morocco” against France because “we all love fairytales.”
He knows it well, given that he accomplished one of the most incredible feats in the history of the game by winning the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016.
“Did you see Giroud’s commitment against Morocco?” continued Ranieri, a former coach of Fiorentina, Inter, Roma and Juventus.
“He followed Amrabat until the middle of the pitch, reducing his passing options.
“Both Argentina and France have class and strength. Perhaps Argentina have a slightly greater sense of belonging. It’s Scaloni’s merit, the players follow what he says and the results are there.”
So, who will win on Sunday?
“It’s impossible to predict the result of these games, but given that both sides are deadly with counter-attacks, the team that scores first may have the edge, especially France who have Mbappe.
“Messi has never seemed as decisive as he is today. He has become a technical and charismatic leader of Argentina. He does everything, including extraordinary goals, and is a champion that is making history.
“France’s World Cup has been excellent so far. Tchouameni is doing so well and of course, they have Mbappé, who is so fast that he looks almost unstoppable. Perhaps, he is the most similar player to Ronaldo, The Phenomenon.”
The former Brazilian striker played for Inter from 1997 until 2002, scoring 59 goals in 99 appearances. His time at the Stadio Meazza was highly affected by two severe knee injuries.
He joined Real Madrid from Inter in the summer of 2002 after scoring a brace in the World Cup Final against Germany.
Mbappe won the World Cup four years ago, while Messi lost the 2014 Final against Germany.