Lionel Messi named his favourites to win the 2022 World Cup after Argentina’s 2-1 victory over Australia in the round of 16 on Saturday.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward scored his team’s first goal to inspire the Albiceleste to qualification to the quarter-finals, where they will take on the Netherlands.
“[Argentina] are one of the candidates,” Messi told the media.
“Argentina are a powerhouse and are always among the best.
“We knew we were one of the candidates, but we had to prove it on the pitch and we proved it again against Australia.”
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The forward was then asked about the other teams in the tournament.
“We watch all the World Cup and all the matches we can,” he revealed.
“Brazil are doing very well, despite the defeat against Cameroon. They are still one of the great favorites.
“France are also doing well and Spain, despite losing to Japan, are a team that play very well, that are very clear about what they do and it is very difficult to take the ball away from them, as they control possession for a long time. It will be difficult to beat them.”
Messi speaking on the elimination of Germany from the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup said: “I was surprised that they were out.
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“They had many top players, and they are a young team that is always among the best in a World Cup.
“It’s surprising that they were out again in the first round, but that shows how difficult the World Cup is.
“It’s no longer the name of the national team that matters, but what you see on the pitch. Everything is becoming more and more equal.”
