Just one obstacle stands between Lionel Messi and the World Cup win that would cement his legacy.
But he arguably could not have asked for a trickier matchup than a meeting with the reigning world champions France.
This is not the first time the two nations have met across their footballing history, or indeed during the career of Argentina's No.10.
MORE: Messi vs Mbappe: Who has the better record?
So, what can we learn from their past encounters with and without Messi?
Lionel Messi vs France
Messi has faced France on just two occasions across his career, with one win and one defeat to his name.
| Date | Result | Competition | Messi mins | Messi goals | Messi assists |
| June 30, 2018 | FRA 4-3 ARG | World Cup | 90 | 0 | 2 |
| Feb 11, 2009 | FRA 0-2 ARG | Friendly | 90 | 1 | 0 |
Messi best moments vs France
The highlight of Messi's international meetings with France came when he netted his 11th international goal in a 2-0 friendly win in Marseille back in 2009.
That is in stark contrast to a devastating loss to the same opposition in the last World Cup, which came about despite Messi laying on two goals.
MORE: Complete list of World Cup Golden Boot winners
Argentina record vs. France
Argentina have faced France on 12 occasions overall, with three of those encounters coming at World Cups. Here is a full breakdown of their head-to-head record.
| Date | Competition | Result | Scorers |
| June 30, 2018 | World Cup (Round of 16) | France 4 Argentina 3 | Griezmann (13'-pen), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68'); Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90') |
| Feb 11, 2009 | Friendly | France 0 Argentina 2 | Gutierrez (40'), Messi (83') |
| Feb 7, 2007 | Friendly | France 0 Argentina 1 | Saviola (15') |
| Mar 26, 1986 | Friendly | France 2 Argentina 0 | Ferreri (15'), Vercruysse (80') |
| June 6, 1978 | World Cup (Group stages) | Argentina 2 France 1 | Pasarella (45'- pen), Luque (73'); Platini (60') |
| June 26, 1977 | Friendly | Argentina 0 France 0 | N/A |
| May 18, 1974 | Friendly | France 0 Argentina 1 | Kempes (22') |
| June 25, 1972 | Friendly | Argentina 0 France 0 | N/A |
| Jan 12, 1971 | Friendly | Argentina 2 France 0 | Laraignee (4' - pen), Madurga (75') |
| Jan 8, 1971 | Friendly | Argentina 3 France 4 | Brindisi (55'), Nicolau (73'), Laraignee (90' - pen); Loubet (3'), Djorkaeff (50' - pen), Lech (64'), Revelli (89') |
| June 3, 1965 | Friendly | France 0 Argentina 0 | N/A |
| July 15, 1930 | World Cup (Group stages) | Argentina 1 France 0 | Monti (81') |
