Pepe started this ronaldo fanboy logic with his post match comments. Ever since then its been repeated.
He didn't start it.
Ever since Neymar moved to Psg there are rumors of Emir wanting a CL and a WC winner.
He has Mbappe, Neymar and even Messi.
Even Messi's transfer to Psg had some remarks that he will get a favor on a WC because of this.
Record number of pens for Argentina didn't help either.
A pen in the semis didn't help either.
A questionable call on France-Morocco didn't help either.
I don't think that Messi is promised WC.
Imo, one of Emir's teams had to win.
A final will probably be fair.
Messi is not more important than France since Psg is in Paris/France, Mbappe is there and some rumors say that even politics and top-French politicians were involved in Qatar getting a WC.
Unless if Argies get 3 pens in a final, I wouldn't say that (only) they were favored.
A few teams were favored, as always (based on current importance in terms of marketing, star player and politics). Argies are just one of them.