Mbappé predicts Messi will score in Argentina-Spain World Cup final after France's third-place loss
France captain Kylian Mbappé predicted Argentina's Lionel Messi will score in the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday, speaking after France's third-place loss to England on Saturday night. Mbappé, who leads the Golden Boot race with 10 goals (two ahead of Messi), told French broadcaster M6: 'Leo will score [in the final], that is for sure, he scores every time.'
The prediction carries significant weight as Mbappé currently leads the tournament's scoring race with 10 goals, having scored two more than Messi throughout the competition. Despite leading the Golden Boot race, Mbappé acknowledged he would have preferred playing in the final over being the top scorer, stating: 'It's good for my legacy to be remembered as one of those players, but that is not what is on my mind right now.'
With the Argentina-Spain final set for Sunday evening, Mbappé's confidence in Messi's scoring ability adds intrigue to the Golden Boot race - will Messi score to narrow the gap, or will Mbappé extend his lead to secure the award?