Martinez claims ‘greatest’ Messi gives Argentina the edge in the final

Argentina and Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez reveals that the “greatest player”

will give them the edge over France on Sunday’s final.

Messi has scored 5 goals in the tournament already and is fighting with Kylian Mbappe for World Cup’s Golden Boot but Argentine legend will become the all-time appearance maker in the final as he surpasses Lothar Matthaus’ 25 World Cup appearances.

Having had a big hand in delivering Argentina a Copa America last year, Martinez bets on Messi to once again bring it all in the final.

"I see him very happy as does every Argentinian, he feels very well on the pitch,"

said

"I saw a great Messi in the Copa America, he was exceptional and one of the best undoubtedly in the Copa America, and in this World Cup he took [another] step forward. 

"He's playing better, both physically and in football terms. It was quite difficult to get that Messi from the Copa, but he did it.

"He's playing very well and it gives so much energy to the squad, because we have the greatest player. He's excited, he's full of joy and it helps us very much."

Martinez believes that France are the favorites to win the World Cup but they defied the odds last year when they won the Copa at Brazil.

"Obviously when we won [the Copa America] in Brazil, they were the favourites”,

Martinez said

"It is the same now, people can say France are favourites. But we have the advantage, to have the greatest player of all time.

"We always like to hear that the opponent is the favourite, because we don't feel inferior or superior to anyone. But as I said, we have the greatest of all time and with a good defence we have a big chance to reach our goal."

Follow 

 for the