Ousmane Dembele is aware of France are among the many favorites to win the World Cup, however believes Lionel Messi can lead Argentina to glory once more.
France has a 13.5% likelihood of successful the Opta supercomputer World Cup, second solely to reigning European champions Spain (16.3%).
In 2022, Les Bleus misplaced to Argentina within the penalty shootout and completed as runners-up, regardless of Kylian Mbappé scoring a hat-trick within the remaining.
Messi was the driving pressure behind Argentina’s success in Qatar, scoring seven targets within the match.
And whereas Dembele is decided to repeat France’s success in 2018, he sees no cause why Messi, who turns 39 on the finish of this month, cannot propel Argentina to a different title, with a 9.8% likelihood of successful the trophy in accordance with Opta’s mannequin.
Dembele performed alongside Messi at Barcelona and the ahead advised Marca: “After all,[Messi]can win each trophy.
“(His age) would not change something. He is one of the best I’ve seen, one of the best ever in soccer. He stays fairly harmful.”
“Even at 38 years outdated he’s troublesome to cease. He could also be at that age however he’ll at all times have these qualities. We must watch out of him as a result of he has the power to win once more.”
Requested if successful the World Cup was the top of his profession to date, Ballon d’Or winner Dembele mentioned: “It is absolutely the pinnacle.
“For a top-level skilled footballer, successful the World Cup whereas defending his nation’s colours is the best trophy conceivable.
“It’s after all a dream to have the ability to raise that trophy once more. However like I mentioned, the competitors is hard so we have now to remain targeted.”
Supervisor Didier Deschamps led France to 3 main finals (Euro 2016, World Cup 2018, World Cup 2022), however will step down as supervisor after this event.
Former Actual Madrid supervisor Zinedine Zidane is broadly anticipated to switch Deschamps.
“He (Deschamps) is just a rare coach. He’ll endlessly be a legend amongst French nationwide workforce managers,” Dembele mentioned.
“As for Zidane, I performed in opposition to him when he was managing Madrid and once I was at Barcelona. He’s the best and true image of French soccer.
“He’s a rare coach who received the Champions League thrice in a row with Madrid. We hope to have him on the bench of the French nationwide workforce at some point. I’m positive he’ll do an excellent job, as a result of he’s a born winner.”
