Defending champs France and Brazil are favourites to win World Cup: Messi

Argentina captain Lionel Messi was quoted by Reuters as saying that defending champions France and Brazil are the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar as they have a core group of players who have played together for a long time.

Messi had said Brazil, Germany, France, England and Spain are always labelled favourites to win but the 35-year-old forward feels France and Brazil are the best two teams going into the 20 November to 18 December tournament.

“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,” Reuters quoted Messi as telling 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).”