Like Maradona, Messi will take Argentina to Glory

As for the tournament, it will be a cracker. Argentina is an overwhelming favourite, for me, to win this edition of the FIFA World Cup. They not only have a brilliant side backed by some natural footballing flavour, but the presence of superstar Lionel Messi is what makes them special.


I understand that football is a team game and that's exactly why Messi is so special. He is a perfect team man and intelligently draws a defender or two to himself before setting up a teammate.

Besides, when the situation demands it, he can score on his own. That's a quality great players like Pele and Maradona possessed and they are both World Champions, so I see no reason why Messi won't be one. I have a feeling this will be Messi's World Cup.

Spain is another team who has a great chance of winning. They have been playing very well and their European crown is proof of this. I have a bit of a soft corner for Brazil too and believe they could well be the surprise pick of South Africa 2010.

Surprise because Without Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, etc the men from Sambaland may not have too many superstars to boast but that could conversely work in their favour.

If you look at the warm-up games the Brazilians have been going about their job very quietly yet convincingly. They could well be the surprise pick here. England are another team that a lot has been written and said about but for me, they aren't all that great.

Again, going by their performance in the World Cup friendlies they have been unimpressive.

They sure have the stars to boast of in Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, etc but they don't seem to be gelling as a unit, and that is something that is very important if any team needs to succeed in a competition like this.

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