Taking on Messi ‘a totally different’ challenge to anything else faced by France

The Frenchman admitted his side face a different challenge entirely given the quality possessed by the Argentina captain.

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Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates his sides victory in the penalty shoot out following the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar

Antoine Griezmann says playing Lionel Messi is “a totally different proposition” to anything else they have faced in Qatar as France gear up for a World Cup title defence against Argentina.

Four and a half years on from beating Croatia to win their second world title, Didier Deschamps’ side are reaching another final by seeing off spirited Morocco in a breathless semi-final clash on Wednesday.

Theo Hernandez’s early acrobatic effort and a Randal Kolo Muani tap-in sealed a hard-fought 2-0 win at Al Bayt Stadium, where they edged past Gareth Southgate’s England 2-1 in last weekend’s tight quarter-final clash.

France’s Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann celebrate their sides second goal scored by Olivier Giroud during the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar
France’s Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann celebrate their side’s second goal during the Fifa World Cup quarter-final (Mike Egerton/PA)

But Griezmann believes France now face a different challenge entirely given the quality possessed by Argentina captain – and former Barcelona team-mate – Messi.

The 35-year-old has shone in what looks likely to be his fifth and final World Cup, with the forward hell bent on crowning a glittering career with glory on Sunday.

“Any team with Messi in is a totally different proposition.” Griezmann said. “We have seen practically all of their matches at this World Cup.

“We have seen Argentina play, we know how they play. They are a difficult team to play and they seem to be on top form.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi
Argentina’s Lionel Messi has shone in what looks likely to be his fifth and final World Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)