France and AC Milan forward, Olivier Giroud has revealed that his side will do everything to prevent Argentina star Lionel Messi from fulfilling his World Cup dream.
Messi is set to complete the fairytale end of his international football career on Sunday when his side clash with the reigning champions in the showpiece final of the 2022 World Cup in Doha’s Lusail Stadium.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward finished as a runner-up in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was left heartbroken following their 1-0 defeat to Germany in Rio.
The footballing icon is now eager to clinch the world trophy that has eluded him – after revealing this will be his last World Cup.
However, French striker Olivier Giroud has cautioned the Argentine forward that his side has no intention of giving up their crown – saying “we will try everything to stop him”.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal hitman said, "Messi is an incredible player, but we are not going to let him enjoy the best night he can have.
“We want to win this game. We want to win another World Cup - and we will try everything to stop him.
“But there is not only Messi in that team. They have got great players who work for the team also. I think that is why they are so strong”, he said.
Giroud, who during the tournament has become France's all-time leading goal scorer, was part of the side that defeated Argentina 4-3 during the 2018 World Cup in Russia to dump Messi out of the tournament in the last 16 stage before claiming the trophy.
During that match, Chelsea’s midfielder N'Golo Kante man-marked Messi - but with him missing out on the Qatar World Cup through injury, Giroud has, however, hinted his side could do same again in Sunday’s final.
"I don't know if we need a special plan. I remember back in the days of 2018, N'Golo was all the game on his back, behind him. But this time I don't know what will be the plan. We will see with the manager."
France full-back, Theo Hernandez also echoed Giroud’s sentiments and insisted that their side [France] does not fear Messi who is desperate to win a World Cup trophy.
The AC Milan left-back broke the deadlock in Wednesday night's semi-final triumph over Morocco.
“Lionel Messi does not scare us, and we will do everything we can to stop him.
"I am tired but it's so good to win a World Cup semi-final," Hernandez told Gazzetta dello Sport. Now we must recover for Sunday. We are not scared of Messi, but Argentina are an incredible team and we have a few days to work," he said.
Latest Stories
-
Syria’s minorities seek security as country charts new future
39 minutes -
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo re-appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana
46 minutes -
German police probe market attack security and warnings
46 minutes -
Grief and anger in Magdeburg after Christmas market attack
47 minutes -
Baltasar Coin becomes first Ghanaian meme coin to hit DEX Screener at $100K market cap
2 hours -
EC blames re-collation of disputed results on widespread lawlessness by party supporters
2 hours -
Top 20 Ghanaian songs released in 2024
2 hours -
Beating Messi’s Inter Miami to MLS Cup feels amazing – Joseph Paintsil
2 hours -
NDC administration will reverse all ‘last-minute’ gov’t employee promotions – Asiedu Nketiah
3 hours -
Kudus sights ‘authority and kingship’ for elephant stool celebration
3 hours -
We’ll embrace cutting-edge technologies to address emerging healthcare needs – Prof. Antwi-Kusi
3 hours -
Nana Aba Anamoah, Cwesi Oteng special guests for Philip Nai and Friends’ charity event
3 hours -
Environmental protection officers receive training on how to tackle climate change
3 hours -
CLOGSAG vows to resist partisan appointments in Civil, Local Government Service
4 hours -
Peasant Farmers Association welcomes Mahama’s move to rename Agric Ministry
5 hours