Messi vs France: Comments by World Cup 2022 Chief Sparks Reactions

• The controversy surrounding the staging of the World Cup in Qatar is back with some cryptic comments on Lionel Messi
• World Cup Organizing Chief Hassan Al-Thawadi's personal wishes for Messi to lift the World Cup on Qatari soil have elicited mixed reactions
• Argentina recovered from a disastrous start to set up a final showdown against defending champions France

Past comments made by the 2022 World Cup Organizing Chief Hassan Al-Thawadi have resurfaced a few hours before the final.

Argentina will take on France at the Lusail Stadium with the main storyline being whether Lionel Messi can complete football or Kylian Mbappe can win back-to-back World titles.

In October, Hassain said that it would be special if Messi won the World Cup in Qatar.

"Seeing Messi lift the trophy in what could be his last World Cup would be something really special for us organisers," as quoted by Vanguard.

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With Messi now 90 minutes from winning the World Cup, fans online have read mischief in the statement. Argentina recovered from an opening-day shock loss to Saudi Arabia to keep Messi's hopes alive.

Qatar repaired her image

Qatar had been dogged by numerous controversies before the games began ranging from LGBTQ rights to alcohol rules. However, pundits have avered that the Middle East nation has lived up to the billing and provided a perfect competition.

The October comments by Hassan have however reignited the controversies on whether there might be foul play.

What have fans said?

@a_chitsosa said:

"You can clearly see they are trying to make Messi win by giving it to him on a silver platter. The moment I heard they sent home the English ref who was in the best position to take charge of that game. You can clearly see all the signs. Was rooting for Argentina but not anymore."

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While @_Who_Is_Asking said:

"This explains all the dodgy decisions Argentina have been getting to go their way including a record-breaking number of penalties for a single world cup tournament

Hopefully, Mbappe puts an end to this clownery!"

@RevoltKenyall was of a different opinion:

"Messi is one of the best players in the world same as Ronaldo and 6 of 10 football supporters envy them and would wish to see one of them lift a world cup trophy. There is nothing wrong with a possibly Messi fan making a wish."

@masikasimiyu said:

"An unfortunate comment.

Organizers, who are agents of FIFA should remain neutral and fair to all stakeholders at all times."

Referee issues

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has been appointed to oversee the showdown. There have been unconfirmed reports that English referee Antony Taylor was blocked from officiating the match due to Argentina bias that stems from over 40 years ago.

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Why was Qatar a controversial host?

Previously, Sports Brief reported that the decision to award Qatar the hosting rights of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in 2010 was met with much resistance from the word go.

The United States of America had been widely expected to win the bidding process, but then FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced Qatar as the winner of the vote.

Shocking corruption allegations among the members of the Executive Committee, the panel responsible for deciding who hosts the World Cup, rocked the giant federation.