After England showed their title credentials by thrashing Iran 6-2, the third day of the most controversial World Cup in history will see four matches.
Messi and his ardent supporter Argentina top Group C when they face Saudi Arabia, followed by Denmark versus Tunisia in Group D.
The evening matches are Robert Lewandowski’s Poland against Mexico in Group C and the last game of the day is Kylian Mbappe-led defending champions France versus Australia in Group D. Much of the focus will be on forward Messi.
The 35-year-old has won it all and is one of the greatest footballers of all time, but World Cup glory has eluded him and it surely is past time to rectify that glaring blunder.
“This is probably my last World Cup, my last chance to make this great dream come true,” Messi told reporters in Doha on Monday.
“I don’t know if it’s my happiest moment, but I feel great.
“I’m older, more mature, I want to make the most of everything, live it with maximum intensity and enjoy every moment I have.”
In recent days, Messi has twice trained apart from the rest of the squad, but he went on to quell any concerns among Argentines that he might not be fit for Saudi Arabia.
“I trained separately because I had a knock, it was precautionary, but nothing unusual,” he said.
Argentina entered the tournament as the Copa América holders and as of 2019 are unbeaten in 36 matches.
mbappe difference
If Messi is inching towards the end of one of football’s greatest careers, his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Mbappe is yet to make his debut.
And the 23-year-old could be in for a field day against Australia, which lack the stars of the past and need one more qualification to reach Qatar.
As for when Argentina face Saudi Arabia, anything other than a victory for holders France would be a huge blow.
Didier Deschamps is missing Paul Pogba and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, both ruled out of the tournament through injury, and the French coach said it puts even more pressure on Mbappe.
“He has always had the ability to make a difference and we will need that,” Deschamps said.
“Unlike many other players, he has the ability to be decisive at any moment.”
Mbappe, who will turn 24 next month, will spearhead a French attack in which Olivier Giroud is now expected to start in Benzema’s absence.
Lewandowski is the third of three world-class attackers to feature on Tuesday, but for all his goalscoring exploits over the years, the 34-year-old has yet to score at the World Cup.
The Barcelona predator has struck 25 times in the last two World Cup qualifying campaigns, but is yet to open his account in the finals.
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczecny believes Lewandowski will break his duck in Qatar as Poland aim to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 1986.
“I think it’s definitely important for him (to score),” Szczecny told reporters on the eve of Poland’s opening game against Mexico.
“He is very motivated ahead of the World Cup. There is no doubt that Robert is one of the best players in the world at the moment.”
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