DOHA — Former
Brazil star Ronaldo says he cannot get
behind his country's great sporting rivals Argentina at the World Cup, and
backs France as "big favorites" to retain their title.
اضافة اعلان
Lionel Messi likely has one final chance to lift the only
major trophy missing from his collection, but Ronaldo will not be rooting for
the South Americans in Tuesday's semifinal against Croatia.
"I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say I'll be happy
for Argentina" if they win the
World Cup, said Ronaldo. "But I see
football as a romantic. And I will appreciate any champion."
"Since the beginning, my prediction has always been
Brazil and France in the final," the two-time World Cup winner told media
including AFP at a roundtable in Doha.
"Brazil are no longer there. But France, match after
match, are backing up their status as favorites and I still see them as the big
favorites."
Ronaldo, who scored both goals in the 2002 World Cup final
against Germany, expects France to see off surprise semifinalists Morocco on
Wednesday.
"I would really like (Morocco to win) but I don't think
they will. I think France have a very solid team, whether it's in defense,
attack or midfield," said the twice former Ballon d'Or winner.
Ronaldo has in particular been impressed by
Kylian Mbappe,
the tournament's leading scorer in Qatar with five goals.
"He knows how to use his skills, how to go faster than
the others. And he uses them to give assists or to score," said Ronaldo,
who expects the 23-year-old Mbappe to shatter numerous records.
"He has the time, the skills, he's thirsty and he has
the talent to conquer it all, that's for sure."
Ronaldo paid tribute to Morocco's performances after the
Atlas Lions became the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final and
the first Arab team to do so.
"It's a great football story that an African team is in
the semifinals of a World Cup," he said. "I saw the reactions in
Morocco, what football gives us is very beautiful."
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