World Cup 2014 - Ossie's final view

Ossie Ardiles knows exactly what the players are going through ahead of Sunday's World Cup Final.

Our legendary former midfielder and fellow Spurs great Ricky Villa lifted the trophy with Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1978.

Ossie has one word of advice for the Argentine players preparing to face Germany at Rio's famous Maracana on Sunday (8pm UK) - go out and do your best.

Germany are favourites after their 7-1 dismantling of Brazil in the semi-final but Ossie insists Argentina, organisation personified to eventually topple Holland on penalties in their semi-final, will be ready.

"Germany is a superb team, the best team in the tournament and I believe the best team in the world right now," said Ossie. "This is the challenge facing Argentina.

"Having said that, I believe Argentina can win it, because they have Messi and as I said before, the team has to help him and they have done that with Mascherano, Romero and so on. So yes, Germany are the favourites but Argentina have a chance. My head says Germany but my heart says Argentina.

"Argentina will be tougher for Germany than Brazil, who played in an ocean of emotion and they were completely overwhelmed, with players out of position against a team like Germany who would take advantage.

"Argentina will have a plan and will follow that plan and we have players who can upset Germany in Higuain, Aguero and especially Messi.

"My only word of advice would be this - talking about the pressure on the day of the final back in 1978, our manager (Cesar Menotti) said to us ‘okay boys, none of you were able to sleep last night, is that true?’ and we all said ‘yes, that’s true’ and he replied ‘don’t worry, the other team didn’t sleep either, just go and play’. So this is it, all the pressure the Argentina players might feel, Germany feel as well. It’s a game, 11 against 11, just go out there, do your best and try to win the trophy."

Look out tomorrow for Mauricio Pochettino's views on the final...