Immortality or the dawn of a new era?

A shift has already occurred, tectonic plates have collided resulting in the dusk of the old and the emergence of new horizons. At the footballing forefront, France's Kylian Mbappe readies to win his second World Cup as he looks to come forth as the face of the next generation of megastars but faces the old guard in Argentina's Lionel Messi, who has yet again carried his side to the cusp of glory.

The PSG teammates will lock horns as Messi, a marvel unlike any other, gears up for his last date with destiny, for his last dance to achieve footballing immortality and join the pantheon of all-time greats like Diego Maradona and Pele.

On the opposite side, when it comes to the World Cup, Mbappe has already been there and done that at the tender age of 19, taking the world by storm as he lifted the World Cup in 2018. Four years later, the French superstar has the world at his feet. With a successive World Cup win, he would be within inches of being heralded in the same company as Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo and of course Messi, albeit with the caveat that he needs to produce at least for a decade more to be in true consideration.

With five goals each from the focal point of their teams' success, the sizzling Mbappe and Messi contest will certainly play a decisive role in who takes home the Golden Ball, the Golden Boot, eventually the Ballon d'Or and, of course, the World Cup trophy.

Mbappe has again come through as France's savior, coming up with vital goals and assists as the defending champions look to him to conjure something out of nothing. Blistering pace, twinkling feet and the ease with which he can go past players along with the attitude to go direct and his unique blend of guile and finesse are hallmarks that have seen the 23-year-old give the opposition nightmare even before games.

But seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has brought his Midas touch to the World Cup too. The 35-year-old has rubbished any lingering doubts about him being past his best with mesmerising displays that often have made the difference for Argentina in this campaign.

With the earnest hunger of winning the only trophy that has eluded him, the Argentine skipper has led from the front in crunch situations, especially after the loss to Saudi Arabia in the opening fixture.

It has been a different kind of display for Messi this time around as he has had to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer the 19-year-old exuberant Barcelona winger. But having said that, the 35-year-old has produced a complete, well-rounded display throughout the tournament as he was seen defending near his own box, doing the extra leg-work to free-up teammates, all topped off with the usual serving of assists and goals.

Having produced one of the most memorable World Cup assists to send Molina through on goal against the Netherlands, sweeping past Croatia's Josko Gvardiol with a drop of that mythical shoulder or the long-ranger from 30 yards against Mexico, Messi has given more than a fair share for fans to remember.

With only Mbappe's France in the way of his destiny, the Argentine legend will look to give his absolute best to kiss the golden trophy.

As the greatest show on earth nears its end, debates on who deserves the bragging rights of being called the best player spur on. A lot of that might just be settled after the final whistle. Who will wear the crown out of Qatar? Will it still adorn the king or will it be the heir to the throne that ends his majesty's final shot at the ultimate prize?