FIFA World CUP 2022: Argentina great Lionel Messi said that the defending champions France and five-time winners Brazil are favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Follow FIFA World Cup LIVE updates on Insidesport.IN
FIFA World CUP 2022: Lionel Messi’s BIG Prediction, not Argentina but ‘France & Brazil favorite to win 2022 FIFA World CUP’: Check OUT
The 35-year-old, who would be playing his last World Cup this year, added that the two sides have had a core group of players for a long time. The World Cup 2022 is scheduled to take place from November 20 to December 18 in the Arab country.
“We always say the same great teams… but, if I have to choose, Brazil and France are the two great candidates to win the World Cup,” Messi told DIRECTV Sports. “They’ve had the same group (of players) for a long time, working well.
“France, aside from the last Euros when they were eliminated (in the last 16) and did badly, they have some impressive players. They have a clear idea and the same coach (Didier Deschamps). Brazil is a bit the same (under Tite).”
France won their second title after defeating Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final in Russia.
FIFA World CUP 2022: Lionel Messi’s BIG Prediction, not Argentina but ‘France & Brazil favorite to win 2022 FIFA World CUP’: Check OUT
Messi didn’t name his national team – Argentina, who have been unbeaten in 35 matches and won the Copa America last year after defeating Brazil. Argentina have been hampered by a series of injuries to key players like Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni recently described his team’s fixtures as “terrible” but motivated his players not to hold back to avoid risk of getting injured going into the World Cup.
“We are in quite a difficult stage. The players are playing a lot of games,” Scaloni told AFAestudio. “There can be problems as there are injuries (and) suspensions. It’s part of being an elite player and a national team player.
“I worry, but there is little you can do. I believe that the player has to go out on the pitch to play and not think about what’s coming – it can be detrimental. Let them play naturally.“
Argentina will play UAE in their final warm-up in November before heading to the World Cup. The Messi-led side will open its campaign against Saudi Arabia in a Group C match on November 22. The other two teams in Group C are Mexico and Poland.
FIFA World CUP 2022: Lionel Messi’s BIG Prediction, not Argentina but ‘France & Brazil favorite to win 2022 FIFA World CUP’: Check OUT
Follow FIFA World Cup LIVE updates on Insidesport.IN
