Supporters have joked Lionel Messi could be 'sacked' by Paris Saint-Germain if he wins the World Cup.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will lead Argentina into Sunday's final against current world champions France knowing it's his last chance to win the competition as a player.
Messi's been a man on a mission out in Qatar, scoring five goals and registering three assists in six games so far.
Advert
He opened the scoring from the penalty spot in Tuesday's semi-final win over Croatia before setting up Julian Alvarez for his second of the game in remarkable fashion, twisting Josko Gvardiol inside out.
It feels like it's all building to Messi's first World Cup triumph. He has one more obstacle in his way, though.
France defeated Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday evening to become the first team since Brazil in 2002 to appear in two consecutive World Cup finals.
Advert
Their star player is Kylian Mbappe, Messi's teammate at PSG over the last 16 months. He'll be looking to secure back-to-back World Cup wins aged just 23.
Mbappe signed a new contract with PSG earlier this year after receiving significant interest from Real Madrid.
Several reports claim the forward now has a say in sporting matters at the Parc des Princes, although the true extent of this is unknown.
It hasn't stopped fans on social media from suggesting Messi, who has a contract with the Ligue 1 giants until next summer, could be on thin ice with his employers should he come out on top over the weekend.
Advert
One person said: "Messi will be in a really tough position on Sunday. If he wins the World Cup, he might get sacked by Mbappe from PSG on Monday."
Another put: "He could call Piers Morgan for an interview to sack Messi with immediate effect."
A third tweeted: "If Messi wins it Mbappe should sack him lol."
While another added: "Mbappe would be looking at Messi with fury."
The last time Messi and Mbappe met at the World Cup, it was Mbappe who came out on top.
Advert
France defeated Argentina in the round of 16 en route to winning the 2018 World Cup, with Mbappe scoring a brace.
Mbappe is confident he will one day be the best player in the world. He told the New York Times in September: "“I think I’m about to win it [the Ballon d’Or].
"I always say I dream about everything. I have no limits. So of course, like you say, it’s a new generation. And [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Messi — you’re gonna stop. We have to find someone else, someone new."
Could Sunday be the day he lays that marker down once and for all? Only time will tell.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, France, Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain, Football World Cup