Former Spain and Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has backed Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal to win the World Cup next year.

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• Puyol backs Portugal to win next year
• Admits Messi and Argentina also contenders
• Praised Ronaldo as key to his team's chances

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  WHAT WAS SAID?

  Puyol, a 2010 world champion, believes Roberto Martinez's team are the big favourites to win next year's competition after they overcame Spain to win the Nations League final recently.

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  WHAT PUYOL SAID

  Asked by whether Ronaldo and Co. can win their first world title, the ex-defender said: "Yes, that's how I see it. They have a very good national team. Their players play for big clubs and win a lot of titles. They are very competitive and have a good coach… As things stand today, I think they are a very dangerous team."

  Portugal won the Nations League final in Germany at the beginning of June. Martinez's team defeated the Germans 2-1 in the semi-finals and beat Spain 5-3 on penalties in the final.

  They continue to rely on 40-year-old Ronaldo, and Puyol waxed lyrical about his old Clasico rival, adding: "He takes extremely good care of himself. He lives for football. His statistics as a centre forward speak for themselves."

• WHO ELSE?

  With his long-time Barca team-mate Lionel Messi, 37, leading the way, Puyol also believes Argentina have a good chance of defending their crown. Puyol raved about Messi as "the best player in the world and in history".

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  WHAT NEXT?

  As the clear leader in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, Argentina have already secured their place in the finals. For Portugal, however, qualifying will not begin until after the summer. Ronaldo and his team-mates will face Ireland, Armenia and Hungary in Group F of UEFA qualifying.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News