Argentina captain Lionel Messi is more concerned about Brazil and France sabotaging his World Cup ambition in Qatar than with England.
The Three Lions, Brazil, France, and Argentina are the betting favourites to win this year’s competition, which begins on November 18 and concludes on December 20. France is the reigning champion, having won in Russia four years ago.
Which team is Lionel Messi’s favourite of winning the World Cup?
Since then, Brazil and Argentina have both won the Copa America, while England has advanced to the Euro 2020 final. Italy, the winner of the latter competition, did not qualify for the World Cup. Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands are also betting favourites.
However, Messi is mainly concerned about Brazil and France. He told Argentine outlet DirecTV, “As for the favourites, there are big teams like Brazil, Germany, France, England, Spain, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some. But if I have to keep one or two, today I think Brazil and France are the two big candidates for this World Cup”.
Will Lionel Messi win the World Cup 2022?
This year’s World Cup will be his final chance to win the championship at the age of 35. The World Cup is the one major award that has eluded the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner despite winning 11 league crowns, four Champions Leagues, and the Copa America.
Messi played in his first World Cup in 2006, when Argentina fell on penalties to host Germany in the quarterfinals. Four years later, under Diego Maradona, they faced the same fate against the same squad in South Africa, losing 4-0.
In 2014, Germany completed a triple trick of agony for Messi and Argentina by defeating them 1-0 in extra time in the World Cup final. Messi, on the other hand, had a fantastic World Cup in Brazil, earning the Golden Ball after being chosen the tournament’s best player.
Four years ago, a dismal Argentina team failed to make a mark in Russia. In the group stage, they were defeated 3-0 by future runners-up Croatia before falling to eventual champions In the last 16, France beat them 4-3.
Nonetheless, Argentina has rebuilt since the last World Cup, and there is hope that Messi will finally win the championship this year. As previously stated, they are the defending Copa America winners, having defeated Italy in the Finalissima at Wembley Stadium.
Argentina’s team appears to be strong on paper, with Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Cristiano Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Angel Di Maria, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, and Angel Correa among the players.
However, some of those players may be forced to withdraw from the competition due to injuries. He has stated that this World Cup will be his last.
