Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Image source, BBC Sport

There is no doubt who the majority here at Lusail are backing today.

But what about you? Thumbs up for Argentina and thumbs down for France.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe has just the four league titles to his name so far. And he's not won the Champions League at all. At 23 too! I don't know how he dare show his face in public.

In his club career to date, he has 217 goals in 297 games. Not too shabby.

In international football, though, he already has the one big title - a World Cup winners medal from 2018 - along with a Nations League crown from 2020-21.

This final does feel somewhat like a passing of the torch. Messi handing over to Mbappe to carry the tag of possibly the world's best forward into the future.

Every great sportsman needs a rival, though - someone to drive them to heights they may otherwise not achieve. Messi had Cristiano Ronaldo. Who is going to Mbappe's nemesis? Erling Haaland?

Image source, Getty Images

You may not feel he is THE greatest, but you surely cannot doubt that Lionel Messi is indeed great?

In his stunning career, spent largely at Barcelona but now at PSG, the Argentine forward has won 11 league titles (10 at Barca), the Champions League four times and numerous other trophies. He has almost 700 club goals to his name and seven Ballon d'Ors in his possession.

For Argentina, he has scored more goals than anyone else (96 in 171 caps) and helped them win the Copa America last year.

A World Cup would be the cherry on the top of a pretty magnificent cake.

Image source, Getty Images

OK, let's focus instead on the players who definitely will be playing, and the two that have dominated much of the narrative ahead of this final.

It is a tale of two Paris Saint-Germain strikers, at differing stages in their respective careers. For Lionel Messi, this is his big chance - possibly the last shot at achieving the one feat that still eludes him in his otherwise faultless career. For Kylian Mbappe, this could well just be part two of what is developing into some love affair with the World Cup.

Has there ever been as high-profile a clash of two club-mates in one game? I certainly can't think of one in a World Cup final.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Lusail Iconic Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Some people here are at their first World Cup final but for Domdom (who helpfully has his name on his shirt) this is number three, and he is at his eighth World Cup in total after a lifetime following France at major tournaments.

He wears a pin badge for each one he's been too, and he's seen France win four of them (two World Cups and two European Championships)

If they win another one today he will definitely be waving those Eiffel Tower ear-rings around later.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Image source, BBC Sport

Not long now.

The atmosphere around Lusail Stadium is building.

This place is going to be absolutely rammed by kick-off.

Image source, BBC Sport

It's not certain what the meaning of the message is, but Karim Benzema did post on Instagram on Friday a picture along with a message stating: "Ça ne m’intéresse pas".

In English, that is: "It does not interest me."

One player who definitely won't be involved in today's final is Karim Benzema.

The France striker suffered an injury on the eve of the tournament, which everyone assumed meant his chances of being involved were over. He was never replaced in the France squad, though, and his return to training sooner than expected prompted some to suggest he may get a late recall from Didier Deschamps.

But in a press conference on Saturday, Deschamps ruled out a return for the Ballon d'Or winner....

"I have players who have been injured before," he said. "Karim is one of them. The last to be injured is Lucas Hernandez.

"Since then, I have 24 players to manage. Asking the question vis-à-vis (with regard to) these players, it's awkward to say the least, if not a little more. The group is there.

"I don't care about invitations from players, former players or injured players. I don't know who will be there. We had a group at the start and who, from what happened... We lost three, with Nkunku at the beginning. They were part of the beginning of the adventure.

"They will be 24 important players for France tomorrow".

Image source, Getty Images

One man who is channelling a medical professional is Ousmane Dembele, who has gone all nurse by serving up tea with ginger and honey for his stricken team-mates.

"We’re not scared of the virus,” said the forward.

“Dayot and Adrien had headaches. I made them a cup of tea with ginger and honey to help them relax.

“I think everyone will be fit for Sunday’s game. We’re not worried. We’re just taking precautions. The first day, when Dayot had the virus, he stayed in his room as a precaution. Afterwards he was integrated into the group.”

Earlier this week, striker Randal Kolo Muani said the infected French players were isolating in their rooms.

"Those who are sick stay in their rooms," said Kolo Muani. "They're being taken care of by the doctors and we've been enforcing social distancing. We're very strict about it.

“It’s a small bug, which has spread, but there’s nothing serious. They’ll be on their feet on Sunday.”

A French press officer was quick to chip in with: “As you know, Randal is not a doctor.”

This week, the French squad was hit by illness, with Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano missing the semi-final win over Morocco and then Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Kingsley Coman all absent from training on Friday.

So that's the two first-choice centre-backs and the man who you'd think would step in all struggling.

It's not quite as dramatic as the situation involving Brazil's Ronaldo ahead of the 1998 final against France, but it does evoke memories of a nation being potentially compromised by a key fitness issue ahead of the big one.

It also needs asking right now - which French players will be fit enough to feature this afternoon?!

The two-time winners from South America...?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Or the two-time winners from Europe...?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Cheers fellas. A sensational stint to get us up and ready for the big day.

Right then... what began four weeks ago with 32 teams comes down to today, between just two...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Another hour ticks by.

And with that, it is time for the main man Phil Dawkes to take over.

He'll be taking you through all the action for the remainder of the day. Enjoy!

BBC World Service

Image source, Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe has once again taken this World Cup by storm.

He just continuously delivers in these big tournaments.

BBC World Service have re-released their "The Making of Mbappe" feature from 2019, which has interviews with Mbappe's coaches at his first club AS Bondy.

Have a listen.

Only two sides (Italy in 1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962) have won back-to-back World Cups.

Just 20 players have won more than one World Cup, with Brazil's Pele winning three.

France are looking to join that list today after their 2018 triumph over Croatia.

They also have 10 players - Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Oliver Giroud, Ousmane Dembele, Steve Mandana, Lucas Hernandez, Karim Benzema (yes, he still gets a medal this year) - who could join become multi-winners.