Sir Geoff Hurst claims Thierry Henry must prove he is the best footballer on the planet if France are to win the World Cup.

Hurst is backing Italy to beat the French in Sunday's World Cup final in Berlin.

But England's hat-trick hero from 1966 believes Henry is the man who can prove him wrong if he grabs the game by the scruff of the neck.

Hurst said: "Thierry Henry is one of the best two players in the world today - along with Ronaldinho.

"He has been magnificent for Arsenal, not only in the league but also in the Champions League, and this is a platform for him to show he can be rightly regarded as the best player in the world.

"He is the man among the French team who can change the result if he plays the game of his life. He is that good."

Henry, 28, has scored three of France's eight goals in Germany, including the winner against Brazil in the quarter-final.

He also won the penalty for Zinedine Zidane to score the only goal of the semi against Portugal but critics still claim he has not shown the magical qualities he produces for Arsenal.

Hurst said: "It's fair to say he hasn't really performed at this World Cup.

"I saw the semi-final and it was a surprise to see him substituted. I was wondering if it was his form or if he was injured.

"He didn't play as well as you would have expected. It certainly wasn't the form I'm used to seeing from him regularly on television for Arsenal.

"But he has the platform of a World Cup final and if he plays well in that it will be a huge thing for him."

Henry was an unused substitute when France beat Brazil in the 1998 final in Paris.

He was stripped and ready to go on but was told to sit back down when Marcel Desailly was sent off.

The final in the Olympic Stadium is also the last game of Zidane's career.

France's midfield maestro will retire afterwards and Hurst admits it is an occasion fit for his final bow.

Hurst said: "Zinedine Zidane is one of the great players we have seen in the last 10 years. He's had a great career and we all admire players who play with that level of skill.

"What a great stage for him to finish on. It will be a great final game at the end of a great career. It will be a fitting way for him to go out.

"Representing your country in the World Cup final is far bigger than playing for your club.

"I heard someone say a while ago that the Champions League was bigger than the World Cup. It is not

"I know, 40 years on from what we achieved, how big it is and how it can change your life by representing your country and winning the World Cup."

Hurst, director of football for McDonald's UK, was speaking as the food company announced an extension of their partnership with FIFA to cover the World Cups in 2010 and 2014.

The former England striker said: "Before the tournament I said it was very open and that has been proved because we have two teams in the final who were not among the favourites.

"Football should not be predicatable. That's the beauty of our sport and the unpredictability has added to the excitement.

"I saw both semi-finals and on that evidence I'd go slightly for Italy. They went to win the game against Germany from the moment they kicked off.

"The two late goals were a result of their hard work and their efforts to win the game from the start.

"They wore the Germans down and if they play with the same high pace against the French who are a slightly older team it could be a big advantage for them."

An Italian victory would be a triumph for the town of Ashton-under-Lyme where Hurst and Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta were both born.

Juventus midfielder Perrotta moved to Italy when he was five.

Hurst said: "I can't believe we could have two World Cup winners, including an Italian from Ashton-under-Lyme.

"It's quite a remarkable story and it would be wonderful if he were to win it.

"Two World Cup winners from a small town in Lancashire, who would believe it?

"I don't know too much about Perrotta but understand he wants to finish his career in England.

"Perhaps my old club West Ham should put in an offer for him."