Argentine captain, Lionel Messi has given his list
of eight players he believes will shine in the FIFA
2018 World Cup in Russia – interestingly, he
didn’t mention his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo .
The Barcelona icon, who widely has been regarded as the greatest
to ever play the game, remains frustrated by a lack of success on
the global stage with Argentina.
At 30 years old, Messi’s opportunities to lift the trophy are running
out and Jorge Sampaoli’s side are viewed as outsiders summer in
Russia.
Brazil are the favourites for the title and Messi believes Neymar
and Philippe Coutinho could take the tournament by storm.
However, the forward failed to mention Portugal and Real Madrid
superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo when asked who he thinks will
impress.
‘Brazil have Ney and Philippe,’ he told El Mundo Deportivo.
Messi named Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Eden Hazard, Kevin De
Bruyne, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe as the other
players to watch this summer.
He added:
‘Spain have Andres Iniesta and Silva. Germany don’t have any one
star but they are very solid.
‘Belgium have Hazard and De Bruyne. France have Griezmann and
Mbappe.
‘The tournament is full of very good players.’
Messi will be hoping to lead his side to a third World Cup glory in
Russia having lost out in the finals in the 2014 edition in Brazil.
Argentina will kick off their campaign against Iceland before
battling Croatia and Nigeria in group D.
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