They are arguably the best two players on the planet right now.
One is considered by many to be the greatest of all time facing the new king in waiting, ready to take the crown. Lionel Messi against Kylian Mbappe is the dream match up as Argentina facing France is the glamour World Cup final the organisers desperately wanted.
Argentina superstar Messi, 35, is desperate to lift the trophy for a fairytale ending to a glittering career.
It could also definitively end the debate once and for all as to where he stands compared to Pele and Diego Maradona. The World Cup undoubtedly elevates even the greatest players to another level.
Mbappe, who turns 24 next Tuesday, has already won a World Cup, and to win a second at such a young age would be a remarkable achievement.
They are team mates at Paris Saint Germain but there can be no doubting that Messi is coming to the end of his incredible career while it feels like Mbappe is just beginning.
Mbappe now has the world at his feet. He is so quick, so powerful and so strong with his jet-heeled runs from the left before he cuts inside always with an eye for the spectacular.
He has time on his side and now has the potential to break all records for France in terms of goal scoring achievements and trophies.
Messi, meanwhile, has won everything apart from the one trophy that has eluded him and he is now trying hold back the passage of time and the heir to his throne with one last moment of glory. Clearly, their international team mates will always back their own man in any debate.
“For me it’s Kylian," Aurelien Tchouameni said after France’s semi final win. “For me it’s Mbappe and I want him to prove that in the next game.”
Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said: “For me it's a source of pride to be alongside Leo, and play with him and for me obviously he's the best in history.”
There used to be a Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo debate and yet that seems a distant memory after this World Cup. Messi has shown that he is not only supremely gifted as an individual but also a team player which is the complete opposite of Ronaldo. Messi has been mesmerising with his scampering runs carrying him across the pitch while he has also been unselfish in his play.
In the past, Messi might have tried to go for glory himself when he made a brilliant dribble against Croatia but, instead, cut the ball back for Julian Alvarez to score. Their partnership in attack has been Argentina’s driving force.
When Argentina have struggled, it has been Messi who has carried them through. They lost their first game to Saudi Arabia, needed to win their second against Mexico and it was Messi who broke the deadlock in the 2-0 win.
Messi is leading the Golden Boot race with five goals, three assists and that includes three penalties. Mbappe has five goals and two assists.
It might not just be a shoot-out for World Cup glory on Sunday but also who finishes as top scorer and, ultimately, who will write his name into this tournament’s history.
Mbappe has been sensational in France’s attack, his runs have not just opened opportunities for him but also created space for his team mates. There is an excitement and anticipation whenever he gets the ball.
He spearheads this generation of French talent and is the most exciting forward of his age in the world right now. But, ultimately, the final will now decide whether Messi is the greatest of all time or whether his time is coming to an end with Mbappe taking over.
They both know what is at stake and whether this will be the Messi or Mbappe World Cup and who will write their name into history.
