With Spain getting knocked out by Morocco, one of Lionel Messi’s three World Cup favourites were already eliminated.
The Argentina captain has played a superb tournament so far, scoring three goals and setting up one more in four games.
After his side’s last 16 win over Australia, Messi discussed his favourites to lift this year’s Jules Rimet trophy, naming Brazil, France and Spain – with the latter being knocked out a few hours after Messi’s statement.
“We have seen the entire World Cup. The matches that we can, of course,” he said, as per the Mirror.
#AD: Choose any unlimited 4G or 5G plan. Only start paying next month.
“Brazil is playing very well, except for the defeat they had against Cameroon, they continue to be one of the great favourites.
“Also France. And Spain, despite the manner of their progress (losing against Japan), because they played very well, they are really clear about what he their game is when they have the ball, they control possession for a long time of the game.”
Messi’s Argentina will now face the Netherlands in the quarter-final before the winner between Brazil and Croatia will await in a potential semi-final.
“Argentina is a power and is always among the best teams,” he added.
“We knew that before coming here we were one of the candidates because of what we had been doing and we had to prove it on the pitch.
“And luckily we have been doing it and hopefully we will continue taking small steps.”
