DOHA - Two of the most intimidating strikers in world football, Argentina's 35-year-old Lionel Messi and Poland's 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski, line up against each other on Wednesday with a last-16 place at stake in the World Cup.
Messi has scored twice in Argentina's extraordinary start to the campaign, suffering one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history at the hands of Saudi Arabia before masterminding a euphoric victory over Mexico.
The brilliant Argentinian, whose team are one of the tournament favourites, is playing his fifth and final campaign, meaning it is his last chance to match Diego Maradona and lift the trophy for his longing homeland.
His coach Lionel Scaloni, however, preferred that the spotlight is not on his star man or Lewandowski and that the focus can be on the match itself.
"Lewandowski is a great player and it's a privilege to see him up close. I think you have to enjoy him and his qualities, we don't need to compare him with Messi or anyone," the 44-year-old insisted on Tuesday, before swiftly turning his attention to Poland.
This story is from the November 30, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the November 30, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
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