The stiffest challenge of Josko Gvardiol's career may await on Tuesday night. The RB Leipzig defender, still just 20, is set to line up in the World Cup final and face a contender not just for the Golden Ball in Qatar, but a player in the conversation as the best of all time.
Lionel Messi is not necessarily the force he was in his younger years but at 35 has still netted four goals for Argentina in the tournament so far in addition to two further assists. Against Netherlands, the PSG star proved to be the South American side's emotional leader as well as showing a deft touch of magic in supplying the ball for Nahuel Molina to score.
Overcoming Croatia and whoever should arrive in the World Cup final would cement Messi's legacy but the tournament so far has seen Gvardiol begin to forge his own. The central defender already has a burgeoning reputation but his performances en route to the semi-final so far have drawn his ability to a truly global audience.
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Chelsea had their attempts to sign the Croatian rebuffed in the summer with a fee in excess of £70million set as the asking price as Gvardiol ultimately signed a contract extension until 2027. With teams of the ilk of Real Madrid and Manchester City believed to be interested, it would seem unlikely he sees that out.
Talk of a £43million release clause activating at the end of 2022/23 will only draw more interested parties and clubs will look to exercise any advantage they can. Chelsea have a good working relationship with Leipzig, but Pep Guardiola is said to already be working to convince Gvardiol as City consider a £90million bid.
It is little wonder clubs will look to be proactive in convincing both club and player of the merits of a transfer. Gvardiol has already helped stifle Neymar and put in a heroic performance to ensure Belgium were unable to find the net in Croatia's crucial final group game. Being able to shutdown Argentina and Messi's momentum would be another significant feather in the cap.
Four years ago, Croatia were able to withstand the combination in a 3-0 victory. Lionel Scaloni's side are a different proposition in Qatar however, coming into the tournament unbeaten in 36 matches and have since shown ruthlessness to navigate the knockout stages.
It's easy to perceive the team as being reliant on Messi, to an extent they are. However, in the early stages of Scaloni's tenure he did not make use of the former Barcelona star as the team learned to play without their talisman. Now, the team play and Messi can almost labour about the field and select his moments rather than being at the centre of each phase of play.
It's been made clear Messi will not be man-marked, and Gvardiol and his defensive partner Dejan Lovren may more regularly find themselves up against Lautaro Martinez or Julian Alvarez, but they will have to be aware of where the danger Messi provides will arrive from, and monitor every run from Argentina's forwards. The mental challenge will be as significant as the physical one.
Saudi Arabia showed that success could be achieved by pressing on the front foot against Argentina in their famous win. Croatia have not always been forceful in their forward play, but Gvardiol has shown a tendency to defend on the front foot and to challenge for the ball early. That could be crucial to avoid Messi receiving the call at a preferred lull.
The Netherlands also found some success despite their defeat. Luis van Gaal's team diminished Argentina's threat by utilising their own when they brought on Luuk de Jong and Wout Weghorst and played directly. Gvardiol has the quality of passing to ensure a direct route of play to offer an alternative to the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric, and in the likes of Bruno Petkovic have a player with the physical presence to take advantage.
To show his quality, Gvardiol will have to be part of a disciplined team performance, but his role will be pivotal in any Croatian success. Already Leipzig's star has recorded third most clearances (46) in the tournament, and ranks eighth for touches (450) while recording more interceptions than his teammates. There's no doubting he has been a standout player, but success against the very best will only elevate that standing.
An outing that can disrupt the quality Argentina possess will serve a strong reminder to Todd Boehly and Chelsea, in addition to others, that waiting for the 20-year-old's release clause may be too muc of a risk.
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