Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris gives his verdict on facing Lionel Messi and Argentina in World Cup final
France and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris believes that it will be a ‘difficult’ final for Les Blues against Argentina on Sunday (December 18) and also called Lionel Messi a ‘special player.’
Lloris and co saw out an entertaining win over a determined Morocco side in the semi-finals and will hope to win the World Cup again, having done the same four years back in Russia in 2018.
However, captain Lloris knows it won’t be an easy game and while speaking to ITV (h/t Metro) gave his verdict.
“I think it’s going to be a big game, a big final with two big nations of football and obviously Argentina is very, very competitive. They showed their strength throughout all the competition, and they also have one special player in Lionel Messi.”
“But I think at the moment we need to recover well from this battle and prepare the next step in the best way. It’s the last step that’s the most difficult.”
“We need all our strength, all our energy and we need to enjoy the moment because it’s already a big success but the last step is always the most difficult.”
Argentina and especially Messi has been enjoying a terrific tournament so far. The Paris Saint-Germain forward is leading the charts in both goals scored and assists with the 35-year-old having scored five goals and three assists in six games so far.
The former Barcelona man was the star for his country and looked to be at his best as he helped his side beat a in-form Croatia side 3-0 and book a place in the finals, their first since 2014.
Lloris has come up against the Argentinian five times in his career, and the 35-year-old has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the games. France have been leaky at the back this tournament, having kept their first clean sheet during the 2-0 win over the Atlas Mountains in the semi-finals.
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Nevertheless, it promises to be a very exciting final on Sunday. While Messi will be looking to win the tournament for the first time in his glorious career, Lloris will hope to lead his side to back-to-back World Cups, and become the first nation to do so in 60 years.
