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This weekend, the World Cup-shaped cloud that has hung over Lionel Messi for more than a decade might finally dissipate. The obstacle is a different player who is fervently trying to write a very different kind of history.

Who has had a better soccer tournament in FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar? Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappe? So, Have a look at Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe history, records and stats ahead of the Sunday’s final match.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is now 35. He and Argentina experienced heartbreak in 2014 in Brazil as Germany took the World Cup final away from them in extra time while he was still in the prime of his career.

The one query raised about this mercurial talent was eventually intended to be answered that evening at the Maracana. Without winning the World Cup, could Messi still be considered the GOAT, the greatest player of all time?

4 – Lionel Messi has become the first player to both score and assist in four separate World Cup matches (since the 1966 edition). Magical.

2006 vs Serbia
2022 vs Mexico
2022 vs Netherlands
2022 vs Croatia pic.twitter.com/Qsh36wCuCj

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 13, 2022

It’s time for him to make atonement with his final roll of the dice in his tournament swan song. What would Messi do for just one victory medal? In some people’s eyes, Diego Maradona and Pele have been held back by Argentina‘s meager prize tally, which is unfair given both his incredible achievements and durability at the top level.

Kylian Mbappe

Messi’s rival Kylian Mbappe has experienced it all before as well. The explosive talent won a World Cup with France when he was 19 years old, and he can now become the youngest player since Pele to win the trophy twice.

Despite reports that Messi and Mbappe, his PSG teammate, aren’t the closest of pals in Paris, there is no question about the mutual respect between the two given the potential influence each could have on Sunday’s final.

Mbappe has been lavished with gifts whereas Messi has had to wait for international recognition. He won the World Cup at the age of 19 in Russia four years ago, and if he does it again on Sunday, he will surpass Pele in 1962 as the youngest player to win two finals.

250 – Kylian Mbappé’s second goal against Poland on Sunday was the 250th of his professional career (360th game), reaching this tally in 150 games fewer than Cristiano Ronaldo (510) and 19 games fewer than Lionel Messi (379). Statement. pic.twitter.com/77e6yGUKBN

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 6, 2022

The young striker, who has defined this French team much like the young Santos forward did then, will be greatly appreciated if France becomes the first team to win back-to-back championships since that same Brazil team years ago. He still has a chance to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards, but he has made it obvious which historical moment would mean the most to him.

Before playing England last weekend, he told reporters, “My sole goal is to win the World Cup.” “It’s the only dream I have. Not the Golden Boot or Golden Ball, but the World Cup is why I came. I’m not here for that reason.”

If Sunday goes according to plan, Mbappe—who is already perhaps the best player in the world—will rank among the stars of all time who have won the most international awards.

Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe Head to Head Record

Despite being PSG partners, Messi and Mbappe have already faced off three times for club and nation.

Their first encounter took place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where France upset Argentina 4-3 in the Round of 16 to advance. On that particular day, Mbappe scored two goals in the second half while Messi recorded two assists but was unable to score.

Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe: FIFA World Cup 2022 goals

Messi and Mbappe have each scored five goals in six outings at the 2022 World Cup. In the battle for FIFA World Cup 2022 Golden Boot, they are tied. Messi’s minutes-per-goal ratio is marginally greater than Mbappe’s because of Argentina’s extra time and penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands, but so is his xG. (4.75 to 3.46).

Three of Messi’s five goals during the competition came from the penalty spot. In contrast, all of Mbappe’s goals have come from open play. Mbappe scored two goals against Poland in the round of 16 before tallying three goals in the group stage — one against Australia and two against Denmark.

France and Argentina played in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16 where France beat Argentina 4-3.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/aSdooVcTPD

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 14, 2022

But the PSG striker was unable to score against England in the quarterfinal or Morocco in the semifinal, and as a result, he appeared unhappy in both contests. At the FIFA World Cup 2022, Messi has provided more assists than Mbappe, assisting three Argentina goals in victories over Mexico, the Netherlands, and Croatia.

Both fans and analysts praised his stunning solo run that set up Argentina’s third goal against Croatia in the semi-final, during which he tormented Josko Gvardiol. Mbappe, on the other hand, has assisted Olivier Giroud on two goals thus far in the tournament, once against Poland and once against Australia.

Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe: FIFA World Cup 2022 Assists

Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe: Key Stats

Messi – 16 in 13 (2022) Messi – 12 in 9 (2012) Mbappe – 9 in 12 (2022) Messi – 9 in 16 (2021) Mbappe – 9 in 18 (2018)

Overall: Miroslav Klose – 16 in 24 Ronaldo – 15 in 19 Gerd Muller – 14 in 13 Just Fontaine – 13 in 6 Pele – 12 in 14 Sandor Kocsis – 11 in 5 Jurgen Klinsmann – 11 in 17 Lionel Messi – 11 in 25

Argentina: Lionel Messi – 11 goals in 25 games Gabriel Batistuta – 10 in 12 Diego Maradona – 8 in 21 Guilhermo Stabile – 8 in 4 Mario Kempes – 6 in 18 Gonzalo Higuain – 5 in 14

France: Just Fontaine – 13 goals in 6 games Kylian Mbappe – 9 in 13 Thierry Henry – 6 in 17 Zinedine Zidane – 5 in 12 Michel Platini – 5 in 14 Olivier Giroud – 5 in 17