How Argentina could line up against France

The 35-year-old was pictured feeling the back of his thigh against Croatia in the last four and reportedly did not train fully on Thursday, but everything points towards a final World Cup start for the veteran attacker here.

Lionel Scaloni may therefore only have the one absentee to contend with in the form of Alejandro Gomez, whose ankle sprain has not fully healed, and he may only force his way onto the bench at best.

One change could still occur in the attacking areas, as Angel Di Maria was kept in reserve during the semi-final, apparently in order to keep the Juventus man in pristine condition for the final.

Di Maria may therefore be reintroduced alongside Julian Alvarez and Messi, who is set to make a record-breaking 26th World Cup appearance in his farewell match at the tournament.

A 4-3-3 formation would see the indispensable Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez line up in the middle, as Leandro Paredes makes way for clubmate Di Maria.

Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna are both back from suspension, but only the latter may successfully push for a return over Nicolas Tagliafico, as Nahuel Molina continues on the right.

Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi's perennial partnership should keep Lisandro Martinez out of the team once again, as Emiliano Martinez starts a World Cup final barely two and a half years on from ending his perpetual stint as an Arsenal substitute.

Argentina possible starting lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez