Alan Shearer has backed Lionel Messi to inspire Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar next month. With the tournament commencing this weekend, many are predicting the South American nations to become world champions on December 18.
Brazil were the last team from the region to do so in 2002 when a Ronaldo brace swept Germany aside in Japan. European teams have dominated the competition in recent times but sweltering conditions could swing the balance towards more acclimatised countries.
Despite the World Cup moving to the winter, Qatar is still recording temperatures of 33 degrees. Clips have already emerged of England players using spraying-water machines to cool down during training sessions.
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Ahead of the tournament, Newcastle United legend Shearer has backed Messi to achieve his career-long dream. Regarded by many as the best footballer ever, the World Cup is the only trophy to elude the magician.
At 35, Messi - who captained Argentina to the final in 2014 - has reached the last chance saloon in his quest to win football’s biggest prize. Led by Lionel Scaloni, they head into the tournament boasting a 36-game unbeaten streak.
The Magpies’ all-time leading goalscorer has tipped Argentina to lift their third World Cup trophy. Shearer told BBC Sport: “Argentina (who he thinks will win the World Cup). It will be a great way for Lionel Messi, the best player in the world, to go out. It could be a defining moment for him.
“He has probably been the greatest player we have ever seen, but the thing that is always chucked at him when comparisons are made between him and Diego Maradona is that he has never won the World Cup. If he were to win this one, that would pretty much be the end of that debate – and what a story it would be.”
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