Drake places jaw-dropping $1m bet on Lionel Messi's Argentina to beat France in 2022 FIFA World Cup final

Canadian rap superstar Drake has placed a jaw-dropping $1 million bet on Lionel Messi's Argentina beating France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final tonight (December 18). The 'God's Plan' rapper is set to earn an astounding $1.75 million if Messi and co beat France at the Lusail Stadium.

According to GOAL, Drake has dropped a €1 million bet on La Albiceleste winning their third FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar. He's no stranger to betting on football games. The rapper did so in October.

Drake placed a $600,000 wager on Barcelona beating Real Madrid in El Clasico and Arsenal beating Leeds United in the Premier League. The Gunners prevailed by beating Leeds, but Barcelona suffered a 3-1 loss to Madrid.

The rapper's bet on Argentina may be somewhat of a bad omen for Lionel Scaloni's side, as the infamous 'Drake curse' could materialise. It's a setback any team or athlete suffersafter being backed by the Canadian.

A video has been released of Drake opting for Lionel Messi's Argentina in their World Cup final clash with France. He said:

"I'll take Argentina; he'll take France. That will be a vibe."

Messi is hoping to win FIFA World Cup glory for the first time. The Argentine great came close to winning the trophy in 2014, but La Albiceleste suffered a demoralising 1-0 extra time defeat to Germany in the final.

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Gary Lineker lauds Lionel Messi ahead of FIFA World Cup final

Lineker has lauded the irrepressible Argentine icon.

Lionel Messi has been at the forefront of Argentina's run to the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

He has scored five goals and provided three assists as Scaloni's men have booked a monumental meeting with France. However, Lineker pointed out that Messi's game isn't just about numbers. He wrote for BBC Sport:

"Messi has played in six games at this World Cup, and he has been man of the match in four of them."

Lineker added:

"But it's not just his five goals or his three assists that have made him stand out at this tournament; it's the little things he does - like when he is trapped by three or four players, and you think, well, he won't get out there. … but he does, and he does it repeatedly."

A scenario in which it seemed Messi couldn't break free of defenders occurred during Argentina's 3-0 semifinal win over Croatia. The iconic forward was penned in by Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol but managed to bamboozle the RB Leipzig man.

Messi then sent an astute cross to Julian Alvarez, who fire past Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic for La Albiceleste's third. These moments make Lionel Messi the incredible talent he is, and many hope he'll be the difference maker in Sunday's final too.