Brazil and France are Messi's favorites for Qatar 2022

Paris, October 20 (PL)-- Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi assured Thursday that the big favorites to win the Qatar 2022 World Cup are four European countries plus Brazil.

"Today the candidates are the big teams like Germany, Brazil, France, England and Spain.  But if I have to stay with two, Brazil and France are the great candidates for this World Cup," emphasized the Argentine player with Paris Saint-Germain.

Speaking to DIRECTV Sports and D-Sports Radio, the captain of the Argentina national team acknowledged that "the French, despite having been left out at the last European Championship, have impressive players like my PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé and a very clear idea of the game".

He also explained that "for us Argentines, it is difficult to be calm.  We are always the best, the candidates, but it was not always like that.  And a World Cup is very difficult.  A lot of things have to happen to be champion".

On November 20, the World Cup will kick off in Qatar and Messi will grab the headlines because, beyond his innate talent to play football, it will be his last World Cup.

It is a different World Cup, as it will be played in a different era from the previous ones. We are so close that any little thing that can happen to you can leave you out," emphasized the top scorer of the Albiceleste national team and natural heir of the legendary Diego Armando Maradona.

With Messi in the engine room and in a leadership role, Argentina won the Copa America title in Brazil 2021 against Brazil in the very sanctuary of Maracana and ended a title drought that dated back to 1993, almost 30 years.