Messi v Mbappe: How Their Stats in 2018 and 2022 World Cups Compare

• Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe square off in the 2022 World Cup final on Sunday
• France and Argentina are to two teams still standing in Qatar
• Messi hopes to end Argentina's 36-year drought while Mbappe wants a double
• How do their stats from the last two World Cups compare?

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are the two best players at the 2022 World Cup and their stats prove this claim.

Mbappe has been influential for France and is on course to win his second World Cup in a row. Messi, on the other hand, showed in the semi-final against Croatia that he still got it at the age of 35.

Argentina and France meet in the final on Sunday to determine who walks away with the big prize.

Messi's Argentina began the tournament with a historic defeat to Saudi Arabia but made a remarkable recovery to reach the final. Most of that is thanks to their captain and talisman Messi.

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His penalty against Croatia in the semi-final took his goal tally to five, level with Mbappe on the goalscoring charts. Against Croatia Messi broke several records including becoming Argentina's top scorer at the World Cup, per ESPN.

The young Frenchman and Messi's teammate at PSG has five goals and will battle Messi for the Golden Boot come Sunday in the final, per the Telegraph.

Despite not scoring in the semi-final against Morocco, he was instrumental in both their goals.

Comparing Messi and Mbappe stats

The final between Argentina and France promises to be mouth-watering. The two nations have won four World Cup titles between them. The South Americans, however, are in a 36-year drought.

The match will also likely be Messi's last World Cup match and presents the last chance at immortality. For Mbappe, if he wins, he will take over the mantle of the legendary Argentine as the next generation.

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Mbappe announced himself on the biggest stage in Russia, four years ago. Messi's team were underwhelming. Mbappe and Les Bleus eliminated them in the Round of 16, per Sporting News.

But how do their stats from the last two tournaments compare?

According to Opta, Mbappe has played more minutes in the last two editions with 1011 while Messi has played 930. Mbappe has 9 goals while Messi has six.

Moreover, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has 11 goal involvements, the same as Mbappe. Messi has created more chances than the PSG golden boy. Still, Mbappe obliterates Messi with 53 completed dribbles to Messi's 38.

Nevertheless, what matters on Sunday is who will lift the trophy.

Rivaldo backs Messi

Sports Brief earlier reported on Brazil legend Rivaldo backing Messi to win the 2022 World Cup.

The 35-year-old will lock horns against France in the finals in a bid to finally end Argentina's 36-year wait for World Cup glory.

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That is the message from legendary Brazilian legend Rivaldo, who won the World Cup with Selecao in 2002.

He posted on Instagram: "We no longer have Brazil or Neymar in this cup final, so I'm going with Argentina."