Messi keen to avoid Spain in World Cup
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi says the worst possible draw for his Argentina side at next year’s World Cup would be Spain in the first round.
“The worst that could happen to us would be to draw Spain at the group stages,” Messi told TyC Sports Wednesday from Moscow where Argentina play Russia in a friendly on Saturday.
“I would prefer to avoid them, they’d be tough opponents.”
In the interview with the Argentinian television station, Messi named Brazil, Germany and France alongside Spain as favourites to take the World Cup crown in Russia.
“I think that at the moment, they’re the strongest teams who give the best impressions, those who are playing best, with the best individuals.”
Messi also broached Argentina’s last-gasp qualification for the World Cup finals, which the Barcelona star sealed with a hat-trick in a rare 3-1 away victory over Ecuador.
“I always believed we’d get there, but I thought we would have tied up qualification before the Ecuador game,” said Messi, reiterating that he would like to end his career in his Argentinian birthplace of Rosario.
“I would love to play for Newell’s Old Boys, in the stadium where I’ve seen so many matches,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the coming years, how I’m going to feel. I live from day to day, I’m not focused on the future.”
More Stories
SPORT NEWS: MBAPPE STRIKES AS REAL MADRID DOWN SEVILLA
Kylian Mbappe scored a screamer and set up another goal as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday to move...
SHOOTING STARS DEFEAT RANGERS INTERNATIONAL IN ENUGU
Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan, on Sunday, secured an important away win against Rangers International Football Club of Enugu....
MAN UTD HUMBLED AT OLD TRAFFORD BY BOURNEMOUTH
Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday as Ruben Amorim lost for the fourth...
LA LIGA: ATLETICO SNATCH LATE 2-1 WIN OVER BARCELONA TO GO TOP
Atletico Madrid snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Barcelona to top La Liga on Saturday. Pedri sent the Catalans ahead...
EPL: ARSENAL HAMMER CRYSTAL PALACE 5-1, JESUS NETS BRACE
Arsenal forward, Gabriel Jesus took his goal tally to five in four days after scoring brace in Arsenal’s route against...
MAN UTD ‘MORE IN CONTROL’ UNDER AMORIM – IRAOLA
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has paid tribute to Ruben Amorim’s impact at Manchester United ahead of the Cherries’ match at...