Chris Sutton
Former England striker

Argentina don't care about having the ball, but are a team powered by emotion rather than efficiency - and Messi's tournament has also been about moments, just like Mbappe's has been for France.

After losing their first game of the tournament against Saudi Arabia, they have been under pressure ever since.

They have handled that well, and also the expectations of their supporters - that has proved too much for them in the past but, here, their fans have lifted the team with their outstanding backing and they will outnumber France in the final too.

From watching them so far, I think they will try to stay in the game early on and then wait for the spaces to open up for Messi, which is when he has become prominent. Julian Alvarez has been superb and will be a threat with his runs behind the defence but, overall, France still have more firepower.

Read more about Chris Sutton's thoughts on the final.

Argentina
2014 runners-up

It's approaching 2pm in Qatar and we're four hours from kick-off in the third place play-off between Croatia and Morocco.

We'll be building up to that game a little later, while also concentrating on Sunday's final between Argentina-France.

We'll also be hearing from the Argentina camp before Lionel Messi's final World Cup match.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League winner

A lot could depend on Polish referee Szymon Marciniak and how card happy he is.

I've watched Argentina a lot and thought a sterner ref could have punished them with more cards in some of their games because their players seem to be on the edge a lot of the time.

So, I would not be surprised if we see a couple of red cards, especially if Argentina fall behind. I love watching them because of how passionate they are, but they will fight and scrap to win at any cost.

Argentina's players are fighting for their jersey, fighting for their fans and fighting for Messi, to send him out on a high. They will have to control themselves and harness their aggression, and I am not convinced they will.

Read more about Chris Sutton's thoughts on the final.

Gordon Strachan
Former Scotland manager on BBC Radio 5 Live

We are so lucky to see Lionel Messi.

The genius of him, and we talk about who is the best, I think he is.

He does things that others can't even see. He scores all these wonderful goals and he assists.

He only needs to see feet and he sees a pass. It is real genius.

AfcJoe: Didier Deschamps has been a top manager for France, a very good all round team and Antoine Griezmann outstanding this World Cup, his work rate has been drilled into him for years working under Diego Simeone. Be amazed if France don't win, lets enjoy the final.

Image source, BBC Sport

Lionel Messi's World Cup story is almost over but, however it ends, I know things are going to be a lot less enjoyable without him.

Whatever happens in Sunday's final, which will be his last match on this global stage, Messi's performances in Qatar have cemented his place in the hearts of football fans around the world.

People always go on at me about how much I talk about Messi but I make no apologies for that, and I never will, because watching him has given me so much joy - nearly two decades of absolute delight in fact.

He is 35 now, and we haven't got much longer of him left, so let's savour every second.

Read more from Gary Lineker on why the joy of Lionel Messi will be missed.

Henry Winter
Chief Football Writer for the Times on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

I have really enjoyed this tournament, once the fans and football took over.

There were about 40,000 Argentina fans outside my flat, and they were singing this song all about Diego Maradona looking down from heaven and willing Lionel Messi to win the World Cup.

The fans are special here.

No, that rule has changed. Brazil, after their third triumph in 1970, are the only team that have kept a World Cup.

Whoever wins tomorrow will be presented with the trophy on the pitch after the game, but it will be replaced by a FIFA replica – a bronze version of the trophy with gold plating.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Francisco Canepa, ESPN journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live: "In Argentina, the political, economic and social situation is not good. There are people who can't eat or pay rent or have to do extra efforts to finish the month but football seems to hide everything.

"It's the way they find to laugh to smile to get some joy. Argentina is crazy at the moment and the people there are happy. They will receive the team no matter what happens - with expectation, a lot of joy and a lot of pride.

"Now we are seeing a united country. There is solidarity and there is partnership and it's incredible what we’re watching, what we’re living."

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

When you are 23, you feel you can beat anyone. If you give the ball to him, he feels he can do everything.

I am convinced, and I've heard his former PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino say it too, that we haven't seen the best Mbappe by a long way.

He is so fast and powerful. For him, as long as he's got space in front of him he'll beat the defender, that's it. You hope that he grows into, not only a goalscorer, but someone who links up better and he decides better. But, even with what he has at the moment, he's scored nine goals at World Cup's.

It will be extraordinary if he wins a second World Cup and equals Pele at that age. He shouldn't only focus on that. To become legendary, and even bigger than that, he should improve his game. I know it sounds strange with what we've seen.

Didier Deschamps is gone. The news conference is over and France are off to fine-tune their plans before facing Argentina.

Not long to wait now...

Simoc: Deschamps is always humble and backing his players to do their best. But I think tactically they are ahead coupled with great players. It seems they can ramp things up on call. I'm picking them to beat Argentina on the park. It could be a great game.

France

Didier Deschamps on what precautions France are taking to stop the spread of the virus in their camp and whether he is concerned it could spread: "I don't want to go into the details.

"I know it is a subject that is of interest to you, and I fully understand that, but we are doing our best to take precautions and adapt as necessary.

"We are trying to live with it, without going too far and getting too carried away, but doing what is necessary.

"Of course we would have preferred not to have faced this difficulty but we are facing it as best as we can with our medical staff."

Jonny: Always thought Deschamps was a top quality player. DD's managerial record speaks for itself.

France

Image source, PA Media

Didier Deschamps on Kylian Mbappe not speaking to the media very often and how he assesses his mindset: "Well, he has spoken to the media. On certain occasions he has. He also needs to remain calm and and focused on what he can bring to the team on the pitch.

"His mindset is very positive. Before the World Cup that was true and since our time began here he has been extremely focused and I have no interest in trying to bother him or trying to upset that focus. He is focused on the match."

France

Deschamps on Argentina and how they differ from the team they beat in 2018:

"I think seven players were present in 2018 in their squad. It is not the same team at all so there is no point comparing. It was a round of 16 match and the players were totally different. The teams, style and game plan was different.

"Our experience will help us. We have been observing and analysing Argentina's games and we've had some precise information but of course they could line up differently tomorrow. There is nothing to stop them doing that. We could too. The same goes for us.

"Look at Morocco for example, they started the semi-final with a five-man defence, which they hadn't done before in the tournament. You need to be ready for any scenario."

France

Image source, Rex Features

Didier Deschamps on whether his approach needs to change, and whether he could introduce young players into the final: "I have just said that for a final you always need to prepare slightly different because you have certain emotions that can affect certain players differently.

"I would have said that 2016 wasn't perfect, you could tell that from the results. 2018 was much better and the players who were there did a tremendous job. When it is the first final for a player they don't know what to expect. When you've had the opportunity and privilege of playing a number of finals, of course that helps.

"Playing in your first final doesn't necessarily mean you can't deal with those emotions well. Of course it is all about dealing with your emotions and in my team talk and discussions with players I always bear in mind that every player is different."

Tony Tone: This has not the best WC ever (in my lifetime Italia '90 wins) but as a fan having been to Doha for a week, attended six matches at six different, great, stadiums it was a far better experience than Germany 06 where I watched the majority of football in pubs or the local fan fest.

France

Do you get the feeling you're alone in the world - with the injuries, virus and the will for Lionel Messi to win - and nobody wants you to win?

"I often get that feeling, but I am fine being alone. That doesn't bother me," says Didier Deschamps.

"These uncertainties always arise. We are here and we've done everything we can to be well prepared for the game.

"Lionel Scaloni has had also some challenges. They lost their first match against Saudi Arabia of course, but they are still here.

"I don't have any particular worries or stress about the game. When you prepare for a game like this you need to keep your focus, remain composed, but, of course, in a World Cup final especially you have the match and the whole context behind that. Of course the objective is to come out with the title.

"I know Argentina and many people around the world, and maybe some French people as well, would hope that Lionel Messi could win the World Cup, but we're going to do everything to achieve our objective."