France manager Didier Deschamps said he doesn’t mind “a lot of people” want Argentina and Lionel Messi to win the World Cup when they meet on Sunday.
Deschamps is aiming to become the second manager to win successive World Cups after Les Bleus’ triumph in 2018.
He also said there was no update on a virus in the French camp, but confirmed that all the players had trained.
“We try to live with it, not going overboard and not getting carried away, but doing what is necessary,” he said.
Deschamps, who also captained France to victory in 1998, was asked if his side’s injuries, the virus and Messi’s “will to win” had left him feeling “alone in the world”.
“I often have that feeling,” he replied. “But I feel very lonely. I don’t mind.
“I don’t have any particular worries or stresses about the game. When you prepare for a game like this, you have to stay focused, stay calm, but, of course, in a World Cup final, you have the match and the whole context behind it.
“Of course, the goal is to come out with the title.
“I know that Argentina and a lot of people around the world, and maybe also French people, would hope that Lionel Messi can win the World Cup, but we will do everything to achieve our goal.”
Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was one of the players Deschamps lost to injury before the tournament kicked off and there have been rumors the Real Madrid striker could return for the final. Sunday.
“I don’t like talking about that,” Deschamps said. “Since that injury and that of Theo Hernandez in the first game, I’ve had 24 players and those are the players at my disposal.
“It’s not fair for me to talk about injured players. It’s not for me to come and watch the game.
“I’m focusing on the 24-man squad I have and those will be the players available to me tomorrow.”
