From our particular correspondent in Philadelphia,
Fontaine is simply his first identify. If the previous French crew striker won’t quickly be forgotten in France, his loopy file might quickly be forgotten. Creator of 13 targets in a single version of the World Cup, in 1958, the Rémois sees itself threatened this yr by two fanatics: Kylian Mbappé (two goals Monday against Iraq4 in complete in 2026) and Lionel Messi (two goals Monday against Austria5 in complete in 2026).
The 2 former companions Paris Saint-Germain have determined to start out this World Cup throughout the Atlantic with a slew of targets within the first two matches. They usually nonetheless have six left (as many as Simply Fontaine) to attempt to erase this seventy-year-old file from the cabinets. So, which fighter do you select towards the end-of-game boss?
Kylian Mbappé
Nicknames: “The Child from Bondy”, “The Kyks”, “Mbappon”
Options : 27 years outdated, 1.78 m, 75 kg. 60 targets in 100 caps with the France crew, 16 targets in 16 World Cup matches, six doubles on the World Cup.
Factors forts : pace, ending, lion’s urge for food, ego, warfare machine.
What the individual involved thinks: “It (Simply Fontaine’s file) just isn’t one thing I am fascinated about in the intervening time. It is necessary to have a collective framework the place we arrive assured of our strengths within the moments that can depend. I’ve all the time scored targets in CDM, so it is not one thing I would like to fret about. There is no such thing as a cleaning soap opera with Messi. Leo all the time scores. If I need to watch Leo, I’ll need to do much more. I do not watch what he does, I solely take into consideration serving to my crew. By serving to my crew, you rating targets, and while you rating targets, you get nearer to this sort of sphere. »
What his coach, Didier Deschamps, thinks of him: “He’s very demanding of himself. He’s there to attain targets and he scores them. He additionally performs his function as captain on and off the sphere. He’s somebody who has a world aura. He’s the captain and he’s an excellent instance for the entire group. That he could be efficient is above all what’s necessary to him. Data are all made to be damaged, he reaches 100 caps, he will score many more goals. Afterwards, Messi, Ronaldo… I am undecided if Kylian performs till the identical age, however he’ll all the time rating a variety of targets so long as he’s on the pitch. He has the power to set (Messi’s) file bar even increased. »
Leo Messi
Nicknames: «The Flea», «The Ten».
Options : 39 years outdated (tomorrow), 1.69 m, 67 kg. 122 targets in 201 caps with Argentina, high scorer in World Cup historical past with 18 targets.
Factors forts : genius, expertise, left foot, aura, supreme information
What he thinks: “ “It’s happiness, clearly a variety of happiness (after his 5 targets in two World Cup matches), particularly for the victory, a really troublesome victory. The reality is that we knew that it was going to be a match (towards Austria) with a variety of depth, that we could not take it down a notch so I am proud of the outcome, with the qualification. It was necessary for us to take six factors to have a quieter week. »
What his coach, Lionel Scaloni, thinks of him: “What he achieves is spectacular. I do not even know what to say anymore, I do not know if what I am saying is not getting boring. Immediately, when the crew was struggling with out the ball, he labored, he recovered a ball on objective, we noticed that he was dedicated, meaning one thing. »
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The impartial opinion
It involves us from Rebin Sulaka, Iraqi defender, who came into play against the Blues on Monday : “I do not know who would be the high scorer on this World Cup between the 2, it should all rely upon the crew that goes the furthest on this match. However, for me, Messi is the very best participant on the planet, so I hope he can win one other World Cup. » Clearly, Kylian Mbappé’s double didn’t impress him sufficient.
Ours? Sorry Kylian we could not do something
In a traditional world, Mbappé can be the massive favourite on this little duel between buddies. However in a traditional world, the Frenchman would have already got two extra targets, if the referees had accomplished their job. There have been penalties a thousand occasions towards the captain of the Blues towards Senegal, and there’s no doubt that Messi would have been entitled to his whistle on the small complete bridge success achieved by the Kyks towards Iraq earlier than a shameful obstruction. Past the unhealthy religion inherent in one of these commentary relying on which facet you place your self on, there are realities which might be troublesome to disregard: The eight-time Ballon d’Or might have been despatched off every single day towards Algeria, and it is just with Argentina that the VAR comes alive to inform the on-field referee to offer a penalty. Let’s add a a lot calmer image for Argentina, which might arrive within the semi-finals having performed Colombia or Uruguay at finest, and that makes Messi a prepared candidate to get Justo’s 13 pawns. Let’s admit that it might be a foul expertise.
