PSG stars Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are set to lock horns in the World Cup final this Sunday in what could prove to be an all-time classic final.
Both stars have enjoyed fantastic tournaments up until this point and each have a chance of winning the Golden Boot as well as the Golden Ball for being the player of the tournament.
Messi's World Cup campaign got off to quite a rocky start with a defeat against Saudi Arabia, but Argentina have managed to turn the ship around from that point.
Argentina won their remaining two group games and Messi had a vital role to play in their progression. His goal against Mexico from outside the box is still one of the best goals scored at the tournament.
In the round of 16, they managed to ease past Australia and Messi scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal with a fine finish in the first half.
Messi once again provided the magic against the Netherlands as he scored and produced one of the assists of the tournament. His through-ball to set up Nahuel Molina was absolutely outrageous.
The 35-year-old provided the magic once again in the semi-finals and produced two goal contributions. The 2022 World Cup has been Messi's best ever in terms of goals and assists.
France were recognised as one of the favourites from the off and their star man Mbappe has not disappointed this year. He scored and assisted in their opening game against Australia and has been a constant threat throughout the tournament.
Mbappe had his best game of the tournament against Denmark when he scored two superb goals to guarantee France's place in the knockout round.
Alan Shearer was quick to praise him on BBC Five Live explaining: “He made the difference tonight. They were asked the question when Denmark got back into the game, what have you got? Didier Deschamps made a couple of changes and they worked perfectly.
“When you've got that guy in your team in the form that he's in – he looks so comfortable and confident in front of goal – you've got a chance. He won the game for them. I don't see a weakness in Kylian Mbappe's game – I said he's a superstar and he has incredible talent.
“Whatever you want – the touch, the technique, the left foot and the right foot, the spring in the air, the ability to finish it off, the ability to get in and score the great goals as well as the scrappy goals. I don't see a weakness – he is fantastic. Great to watch.”
As Messi and Mbappe are now set to lock horns with each other in the final, we've gathered their stats from the tournament so far and stacked them up against one another.
Games (Starts)
Lionel Messi – 6 (6)
Kylian Mbappe – 6 (5)
Lionel Messi – 5
Kylian Mbappe – 5
Assists
Lionel Messi – 3
Kylian Mbappe – 2
Minutes per goal or assist
Lionel Messi – 71
Kylian Mbappe – 68
Shot-creating actions per 90 minutes
Lionel Messi – 6.17
Kylian Mbappe – 8.10
Successful dribbles per 90 minutes
Lionel Messi – 2.4
Kylian Mbappe – 4
Shots per 90 minutes (inside penalty area)
Lionel Messi – 4.3 (2.7)
Kylian Mbappe – 4.7 (3.8)
Dispossessed per 90 minutes
Lionel Messi – 2.8
Kylian Mbappe – 1.9
Pass accuracy
Lionel Messi – 84.7%
Kylian Mbappe – 82.7%