The wonder boy from Bondy and the pride of Rosario.
The battle between Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in Monday morning’s (AEDT) World Cup final has the prospect to be the best headline act battle we’ve seen in the modern era.
French fans honour Kylian Mbappe at the World Cup.Credit:Getty
In the iterations since Diego Maradona made himself known to the wider world in Mexico in 1986, we’ve seen many of the game’s modern greats grace the biggest stage.
The battle of the stars that had Zinedine Zidane standing opposite Ronaldo in 1998 petered out badly as Ronaldo’s shocking outing in France’s 3-0 win took some gloss off the match.
He didn’t appear on the team sheet, but then he did. In hindsight, he should have stayed off it. It wasn’t until years later that the veil was lifted and the convulsions that led to hospitalisation in the lead-up to the game were revealed.
Provided Messi and Mbappe are fighting fit, their meeting at the Lusail Stadium will have fans the world over in raptures.
Argentinian supporters show their love for Lionel Messi – and for the late Diego Maradona.Credit:AP
Argentina play for their maestro, while Mbappe floats across the attacking line before unleashing a level of athleticism few can match.
“We need all our strength, all our energy to face a very competitive team with one of the legends in the sport with Messi,” France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris told the Associated Press following the semi-final win over Morocco.
Even that may not be enough.
The star battles from each of the last nine finals, with a few exceptions, is a list of the greats of the last four decades.
1986 – Diego Maradona v Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Two matches after he scored the most infamous — and then the greatest — goals of his career, Maradona lined up against Rummenigge and Germany in Mexico City in the final.
In a thrilling final with scores locked at 2-2, Maradona slipped a ball between a host of Germans into the path of Jorge Burruchaga who scored the match-winner. Maradona was now firmly the biggest deal in a game that would never be the same.
1990 – Diego Maradona v Jurgen Klinsmann/Rudi Voller
German fans think otherwise, but this match wasn’t one they’ll be replaying when trying to explain the beauty of the world game to aliens. Germany had a plan, and they executed it well. Strike duo Jurgen Klinsmann and Rudi Voller combined for seven goals during the tournament, but neither approached Maradona level. A piece of agricultural defending from Pedro Monzon and an all-time “Klinsmann” from the man himself is an episode worth re-visiting.
1994 – Roberto Baggio v Romario
Pasadena’s Rose Bowl was more thorns than petals for Baggio as his decisive spot-kick sailed over the bar to kick-start the Samba dancing. Italy were determined to take the pace out of the game and in the end, the best team won. For some free fun, click on the YouTube clip of “Baggio penalty miss” and watch the forward roll of the Brazilian staff member as the celebrations begin.
1998 – Ronaldo v Zinedine Zidane
On paper, this should have been the daddy of them all. The mighty Ronaldo is up against Zidane on his turf. Sadly for the neutral fan and concerningly for the Brazilian ace, he suffered convulsions in the lead-up to the match but still took his place. He looked like an empty shell as France gave home fans cause to light up the Champs-Elysees. Thankfully, this wasn’t Ronny’s final appearance on the sport’s grandest stage.
2002 – Ronaldo v Miroslav Klose
After the horrors of 1998, Ronaldo needed, and deserved, something better. His haircut was worse, but everything else was fitting for this master of the game. He scored both goals in a 2-0 win. As for Klose, the man who sits atop the all-time goals scored list at the World Cup finals failed to register. Ronaldo finished the tournament co-hosted by Japan and South Korea with eight goals from seven matches.
Zinedine Zidane after headbutting Marco Materazzi in 2006.Credit:AP
2006 – Zinedine Zidane v Francesco Totti
As far as the dark arts go, Marco Materazzi’s work on this day approached black obsidian levels. But, in a results-driven world, it achieved its goal. Zidane is a grade or two above Rome’s favourite son but at least Totti was on the field for the entirety. Italy got the job done via a penalty shootout and for the second time in eight years, a chief Cup protagonist failed to live up to the hype.
2010 – Xavi/Iniesta v Arjen Robben
Such is the collection of names on this list, this match-up is the worst of the bunch. Spain were a magnificent team, and that proved decisive in their win in South Africa. But the fact you have Xavi and Iniesta here together shows they didn’t have a ‘hombre principal’ among them. As for the Dutch, Robben was nominally their biggest name. But their reactionary style of play in this match suggests the man who could be just as frustrating as he could be outstanding wasn’t to be trusted.
2014 – Lionel Messi v Mesut Ozil/Thomas Muller/Miroslav Klose
As with all great German teams, the strength lay in having no weak links. All bases were covered and unlike some successful German teams of the past, they played a brand of football that was very easy on the eye. Their interchangeable group of attacking players was a sight to behold. Just ask David Luiz and his buddies about the 7-1 humiliation they copped at the Estadio Mineirao in the semi-finals.
2018 – Kylian Mbappe v Luka Modric
He was just 19, but all the signs were there from Mbappe. Irrepressible pace, unflinching self-belief and a calm head that belied his tender years. Modric was the clear leader of the Croatian team and a superb player, but Mbappe and France had them well covered on this occasion. Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba were also on song, but it was already clear that Mbappe was destined for true greatness.
2022 – Lionel Messi v Kylian Mbappe
This has the hallmarks of something that will be remembered for generations. One of the all-time greats in probably his last World Cup up against someone who has the chance to have two Cup wins in his back pocket at the age of 23. If either of these pair stars in a win, the plaudits will be flowing. Messi will be alongside Maradona if he’s victorious.
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