Theo Hernandez has made something of a risky statement ahead of the World Cup final, insisting that Lionel Messi does not scare him and his France teammates.
Hernandez scored the opener as France beat Morocco 2-0 in Wednesday’s semi-final, with Randal Kolo Muani coming off the bench to finish the job.
It sets up a blockbuster final between the defending champions and Messi’s Argentina, who brushed aside Croatia in their own semi-final on Tuesday night.
Messi has been immense in Qatar so far, scoring five goals and providing three assists, but Hernandez is not concerned about the PSG superstar, or at least he says he isn’t.
The AC Milan full-back recognises that Argentina are an impressive outfit, but says that Messi does not frighten him or the rest of his France team.
‘Playing two World Cup finals in a row is an incredible moment. We did a good job, it was hard, but we are in the final,’ Hernandez told RAI Sport. ‘We will work hard to win this final.
‘Now we have to think about the final. I’m tired, but it’s nice to win a World Cup semi-final. Now let’s recover for Sunday.
‘Messi doesn’t scare us, Argentina are an incredible team but we have a few days to work.’
Not that Messi would need any more motivation heading into the World Cup final, but he has already confirmed that Sunday’s match will be his last ever in the sport’s greatest competition.
‘I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying,’ Messi said.
‘Everything I lived in this World Cup has been emotional, seeing how much it has been enjoyed in Argentina.’
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