Olivier Giroud has said that Lionel Messi is “an incredible player” but that France “will not let him enjoy” the World Cup final because they will “try everything to stop him”.
France beat Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday and will attempt to become the first country to retain the World Cup for 60 years when they take on Argentina, who defeated Croatia to reach the final.
Messi was in sensational form in that match, scoring one goal and assisting two others, and Giroud has said France will work on a special plan with manager Didier Deschamps to stop the Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Giroud told The Athletic: “Messi is an incredible player. But we’re not going to let him enjoy the best night that he can have.
“We want to win this game and the World Cup and we will try everything to stop him.
“There is not only Messi in that team. They have great players who work for the team also. That’s why they are so strong.”
Giroud started the 2018 World Cup final, in which France beat Croatia 4-2, and also the thrilling round of 16 match against Argentina, which they won 4-3.
