France boss Didier Deschamps: 2022 World Cup support for Messi and Argentina in Qatar 'doesn't bother me'
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Updated 17/12/2022 at 21:08 GMT
France coach Didier Deschamps is not concerned by any public backing for Argentina on Sunday. France take on Lionel Messi's side in Qatar for the World Cup final and many want to see the 35-year-old Argentina forward lift the famous trophy as his career with his country looks to be coming close to its conclusion. Deschamps is focused on his side's own chances.
Watch as Messi trains on eve of World Cup final against France
Didier Deschamps has no interest in any public desire to see Argentina beat France in the Qatar World Cup final.
Winning on Sunday for Deschamps and France would be only the second time that a manager has won consecutive World Cups, after winning in the last tournament in 2018 in Russia.
Inevitably, there is huge backing for Lionel Messi and Argentina back home, with Messi almost certainly making his last ever appearance at the World Cup.
The 35-year-old forward has spent his professional career with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and has sometimes had a complicated relationship with his home country and the national team, having left boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys as a teenager.
Deschamps was asked if he felt under pressure following problems with a virus in his squad, and the swell of public opinion to see Argentina win with Messi, and he replied: "I often get that feeling.
"But I am fine being alone. That doesn't bother me.
"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.
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Lionel Messi celebrates after their sides third goal by Julian Alvarez of Argentina (not pictured) during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar
Image credit: Getty Images
"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."
Turning to the virus which had laid low a number of his squad, he added: "We are trying to live with it, without going too far and getting carried away, but doing what is necessary.”
The week also saw rumours start to swirl that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could return to the France squad after leaving on the eve of the tournament because of a thigh injury.
However the 34-year-old has returned to training with his club side and Deschamps would not be drawn to confirm or deny any plans to bring him back into the squad to be in contention to feature on Sunday.
"I don't like talking about this," Deschamps said. "Since that injury and Theo Hernandez's injury in the first game, I've had 24 players and those are the players at my disposal.
"It isn't fair for me to talk about injured players. It is not up to me who comes to watch the game. My focus is on the 24-player squad I have and those will be the players at my disposal tomorrow."
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