France star Ousmane Dembele believes the current generation are better than the World Cup winners of four years ago.
They face a daunting task against Argentina, Lionel Messi and Co especially as France are missing a huge cast list of big names in Qatar.
Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema were among the France stars to pull out before the tournament and yet France remain on course to retain the trophy they lifted in Russia in 2018.
Barcelona star Dembele, 25, was a non-playing substitute against Croatia four years ago but believes the experience of winning has put France in a stronger position.
Dembele said: “I can see similarities. Maybe there were more crazy players in the team but there is a great atmosphere now so we cannot really compare. 2018 was the first time in 20 years so it is not the same thing.
“The team is a bit more composed to 2018. We are going to prepare for this final as well as we can and we will be ready mentally for this fight.
“It will not be easy to beat Argentina. They are a really good team and better than they were in 2018 but we will approach this match with the serenity we have had all the tournament.
“We were happier coming from France v Belgium in the semi final four years ago. We had to suffer against Morocco. So we have a lot more experience so maybe the team has more experience.”
Dembele knows Messi from their time together at Barcelona as the France star went to the Nou Camp for £110m-plus in 2017 and knows the Argentina captain will take a lot of stopping.
Messi is dreaming of winning his first World Cup and that would signal a glorious end to his remarkable international career with Argentina.
But Dembele, for all his respect and admiration for his former team mate, insists that the whole of France will be hoping they spoil the script.
Dembele said: “I have had some great times with Messi. I always said he's a dream person to play with. I am happy to have four great years with him.
“In the dressing room he is a very simple person. He is modest, helps the younger players and taught me a lot. It is difficult to play against him but we will do everything we can. He is very, very dangerous.
“I was 20 when I arrived and he was amazing. I was doing lots of things like dribbling by myself so he taught me to play in a team, taught me to be more composed and to do assists.
“I think everyone wants to win the World Cup. It is true Messi has not had that trophy but we are here to represent our country and I hope it will be a really big game and I hope it is France that win.
“We are the French team, we are in a World Cup final, we are fighting for our country, the team. The road we have been on and all the players want the French people to be proud of us. It would be great for Lionel to win but we want to win.”
Dembele has been a consistent and strong force for France in this tournament, starting on the right as part of a four pronged attack with Kylian Mbappe on the left, Olivier Giroud in the centre and Antoine Griezmann in the No10 role behind.
But it has been a hard year for Dembele as he had an uncertain summer at Barcelona when his contract expired before they eventually re-signed him but now he is back near his best and relishing the chance of a World Cup final.
Dembele added: “Yes, this is really important to be in the starting XI rather than a sub so I am happy this image has changed and it is really important for me to play. I want to be a protagonist in the World Cup and not a follower so we have one more match.
“I feel really good. I feel happy with my performances. I have been talking to the coach and he has told me to continue what I am doing.
“I think I can do better in terms of offensive actions and I make more assists but it is important to help the team so if I am needed elsewhere on the pitch I can do what is necessary. I would not mind scoring a goal, obviously, and I hope it comes on Sunday.”
