The major football event FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha, Qatar, is almost reaching its end. The final match will be held this Sunday, 18 December 2022, exactly one week before Christmas.

The France national football team crushed Morocco's World Cup dreams yesterday in the semi-final, ending the Atlas Lions' fairytale run. Morocco, the first African and first Arab side to reach a World Cup semi-finals was so close to making new history by becoming a World Cup finalist. 

Reigning champions the Les Bleus maintained their composure to defeat Morocco 2-0 and secure their spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina in Doha, Qatar.

Yesterday's match inspired me to write ta blog post about which watches the France national football team wear.

Here, I will mention Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Raphaël Varane, Antoine Griezmann, and Theo Hernandez. Although Karim Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup after tearing a muscle in his left thigh, I will still include him in this blog post.

The rising star, Kylian Mbappe, who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and is currently also for the France national team. At his young age, just like the Norwegian Erling Haaland, he is considered one of the best players in the world. Mbappe is renowned for his dribbling abilities, exceptional speed, and finishing. 

He was named the leading scorer in Qatar so far with five goals, and his overall tally of nine at World Cups means he has already overtaken Diego Maradona, who scored eight for Argentina, and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.  

Mbappe is a Hublot ambassador, so don't get surprised when you see him with so many Hublot watches, as you can see in the above picture.

1. Hublot Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium Rainbow 441.NX.1117.LR.0999. 

Retail price: $69,500.

2. Hublot Spirit of Big Bang King Gold Rainbow 641.OX.0110.LR.0999.

Retail price: $93,700.

3. Hublot Big Bang E FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 450.CI.1100.RX.FWC22.

Retail price: ~$6,000.

4. Hublot Big Bang Steel Diamonds 341.SX.130.RX.114.

Retail price: $15,612.

5. Hublot Big Bang Integrated King Gold 451.OX.1180.OX.

Retail price: $56,700.

6. Hublot Big Bang Millenial Pink 441.UP.7320.NR.GIT20.

Retail price: $20,900.

7. Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire 441.JX.4802.RT.

Retail price: $69,000.

8. Hublot Spirit of Big Bang 'King Gold' 642.OX.0180.RX.

Retail price: $43,100. 

Theo Hernandez, the scorer of the 1st goal in the semi-final match against Morocco, was spotted wearing the 45 mm Big Bang Unico Titanium Rainbow, the exact timepiece in Mbappe collection.

The watch features a transparent flyback chronograph dial housed in a titanium case, set with 176 gemstones and a bezel set with 48 precious stones.

Retail price: $69,500.

The striker Olivier Giroud played like crazy during yesterday's match. Although he didn't score at all, but in general, he  has scored more goals for France than any other player in the history of the men's national team, overtaking Thierry Henry. He is the best goal scorer in the history of France with 52 goals.

I must say that, unfortunately, he is an underrated striker in the world. 

Anyway, regarding the watch in his collection, during the F1 Grand Prix in Italy in September 2022, he was there watching the match and he was seen wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Openworked 15407BC.

The 18-carat white gold case glittering with frosted gold enhances the artistry of the openworked dial. The double balance wheel, visible on both sides of the watch, improves accuracy. The watch features a hammered 18-carat white gold case.

Retail price: $82,600.

French footballer Raphael Xavier Varane competes for both the France national team and Premier League club Manchester United as a center-back. Varane is renowned for his defensive skill and speed and is one of the best defenders of his generation.

So, it is not surprising if he was named as one of the highest-paid Premier League players 2022/2023.

The only watch I could find spotted on his wrist in different occasion is this Richard Mille RM 030 EMEA in blue ceramic (but the one you can see in the picture has a white strap). 

EMEA stands for Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

The watch is limited to 100 pieces worldwide.

Retail price: $192,000.

The versatile football player, Antoine Griezmann, who is known for his attacking, passing, and supportive defence, and has played as an attacking midfielder, winger, and striker in his career, also has a rainbow watch like Mbappe and Hernandez. However, his timepiece is the Rolex Daytona Rainbow 116595RBOW in rose gold. 

The Rolex Daytona Rainbow is available in three different models: rose gold (116595RBOW), yellow gold (116598RBOW), and white gold. It is regarded as one of the brightest, funniest, and most playful contemporary watches (116599RBOW). Prior to the rose gold reference's release in 2018, the yellow gold and white gold Daytonas were introduced.

47 sapphires are set in rose gold: The bezel is decorated with 36 rainbow-colored baguette-cut sapphires, and the hour markers are 11 more vibrant sapphires. There are only 36 baguette-cut sapphires on the bezel and eight brilliant-cut diamond hour markers in the yellow gold and white gold version.

The excitement continues with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds perched on the lugs and crown guards of all models. I should also point out that the subdials' crystallization gave them a shimmering finish and allowed us to see the white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold crystals.

Depending on the model, the watch is currently selling for anywhere between $500,000 and $700,000 (or possibly more). The reference in rose gold is the most expensive on the market.

It is sad not to see Karim Benzema in the World Cup 2022 because of his accident. But, to honor the winner of Ballon d'Or 2022, I am including him in this blog post.

Benzema is not only popular as one of the best strikers in the world, but he is also popular for his insane watch collection. As the feed of his Instagram profile also testifies, in his spare time, the bomber of Franco-Algerian origins delights as a collector of supercars and luxury watches, just like other football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. 

He has so many luxury watches in his collection. However, I only curated 10 of them.

In the picture, you can see:

1. Richard Mille RM65-01 Automatic Winding Split-Seconds Chronograph in rose gold. Market price: ~$540,000. 

2. Richard Mille RM67-02 Automatic 'Mutaz Barshim.' 

Retail price: $178,500.

3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Double Balance Wheel Openworked 15412BC. 

Retail price is $135,500 while the market price is around $700,000.

4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 265740OR. 

Retail price: $95,700.

5. Rolex Daytona Meteorite Dial 116518LN in yellow gold. 

Retail price: $33,550.

6. Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograp 5968A. 

Market price: ~150,000.

7. Rolex Day.Date 36 ref. 128328. 

Market price: ~$53,000.

8. Rolex Daytona Chocolate Dial 116505 in rose gold. 

Market price: ~$61,000.

9. Rolex GMT-Master II 'Sprite' 126720VTNR. 

Market price: ~$28,000.

10. Rolex GMT Master II ' Root Beer' 126715CHNR in rose gold. 

Market price: ~$48,000.