The former England international has reflected on Argentina’s form ahead of the tournament.
Wayne Rooney considers Argentina as the top favourites to win the 2022 World Cup.
Lionel Messi claimed his first major international trophy when Albiceleste won the Copa America last year.
The Argentina icon hopes to finally get his hand to the World Cup trophy in Qatar, with Rooney saying he has a good chance to do so.
“For me, Argentina are the favourites,” Rooney told The Times. “Unlike in 2018, they have plenty of good, solid players around Lionel Messi such as Lautaro Martínez, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul and of course Ángel Di María.
“Winning the Copa America last year will have given them confidence and has taken a bit of pressure off them. The climate will suit them too.”
Most observers believe winning the World Cup would place Messi above the likes of Pele and Diego Maradona, cementing his spot as the best footballer ever.
But Rooney says the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has already secured an unmatched status in football history.
“Everyone has different views on Messi and Ronaldo, but I have said many times that I think Messi is the best,” he added. “I have watched lots of videos of Diego Maradona, who was a similar player, but Messi is better. He has everything — the way he controls games, his dribbling, his assists — whereas Ronaldo is more of a goalscorer.”
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