France, defending champion and opposed to Morocco on Wednesday in the semi-finals, “remains the big favorite” of the World Cup-2022 with “a very solid team”, estimated Monday the former Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who sees in the star French Kylian Mbappé a contender for the best player trophy.
“From the start, my prediction has always been Brazil and France in the final,” said the 1997 and 2002 Ballon d’Or winners during a roundtable with several media outlets, including AFP, in Doha. “Brazil is no longer there (eliminated in the quarterfinals by Croatia, editor’s note). But France, match after match, confirms its favorite status and I find that it remains the big favourite”, he added, stressing that the Blues, crowned in 2018, “did not suffer too much from the pressure” to be defending champions.
Against Morocco, surprise guest of the last four, the 1994 and 2002 world champion expects to see France hold their rank on Wednesday evening (8:00 p.m.). “I would like (for the Moroccans to win) but I don’t think they will. I think France has a very solid team, whether in defense, in attack, in the middle… ”, listed the Brazilian, impressed by Mbappé (5 goals in this World Cup).
“What Morocco offers us is very beautiful”
“He knows how to use his qualities, how to go faster than the others. And he uses it to give assists or to score, ”he analyzed, expecting to see the French striker break all records and win a second world title at just 23 years old. “He has the time, the qualities, he is thirsty and he has the talent to conquer all of this, that’s for sure. »
In passing, Ronaldo praised the beautiful course of Morocco, the first African country to semi-finalize in a World Cup. “It’s a great football story that an African team is in the semi-finals of a World Cup,” he said. I saw the reactions in Morocco, what football offers us is very beautiful. »
Of course, given the “great sporting rivalry” between Brazil and Argentina, Ronaldo smiled and kicked into touch when talking about Lionel Messi’s team, opposed to Croatia on Tuesday in the first semi-final ( 8 p.m.). “I’m not going to be hypocritical and say that I will be happy for Argentina” if they are champions, commented the Brazilian. “But I see football as a romantic. And I will appreciate any champion. »