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Barcelona well-represented in World Cup final

By Chiranjib Ghosh

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Paul Pogba of France looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between France and Belgium at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Paul Pogba of France looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between France and Belgium at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona has three players linked to it in World Cup final

SOCHI, RUSSIA – JULY 07: Ivan Rakitic of Croatia runs with the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Russia and Croatia at Fisht Stadium on July 7, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
SOCHI, RUSSIA – JULY 07: Ivan Rakitic of Croatia runs with the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Russia and Croatia at Fisht Stadium on July 7, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Club teammates Samuel Umtiti and Ivan Rakitić will be facing off in the World Cup final at the Luzhniki Stadium. It is going to be the ninth all-European final in the history of the World Cup, as first-timers Croatia take on 1998 world champions France.

Samuel Umtiti has played the full 90 minutes in all of France’s World Cup games, except for the goalless draw against Denmark. He has been very good for his national team, covering Raphaël Varane adequately and scoring the decisive goal against Belgium in the semi-final.

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Ivan Rakitić has also been brilliant in Russia. The 30-year old playmaker has appeared in all of Croatia’s games, starting in 5 of them. His linkage with club rival and national captain Luka Modrić has kept the Vatra ticking. Rakitić’s best performance came in 3-0 demolition of Argentina, where he scored 1 goal and provided an assist.

The two Barcelona teammates will face each other in Moscow. But there is also another player who is connected to Barça, Paul Pogba. In recent days, the 25-year old midfielder has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou, with Mino Raiola mediating.

The superstar has been unhappy at Manchester United. He has been prone to injuries, and has struggled to find minutes under José Mourinho. And while another big-money transfer so early in his career is unlikely, the rumours have not died down.

Next: Barça put €20 million price tag on André Gomes

Éric Abidal is sure to have his eyes on Pogba as he witnesses the biggest match in the world of football.