RONALDO BACKS BRAZIL TO END 16YEAR CUP WAIT

MOSCOW: Former Brazil striker Ronaldo believes it is time for his country to live up to the expectations and end their 16-year wait for a World Cup in Russia. “I think for me the favourite is, of course, Brazil, not just because I am Brazilian but because Brazil are playing very well,” Ronaldo, who was the top scorer when Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002, told reporters in Moscow.

Mexico defender Diego Reyes out of World Cup

MOSCOW : Mexico defender

Diego Reyes will miss the World Cup after failing to recover from a hamstring injury. The Porto centre-back sat out both friendly matches with Scotland and Denmark this month, but head coach Juan Carlos Osorio was keen to wait until as late as possible to give him a chance. However, a statement from Mexican Football Federation has confirmed Reyes “was not able to satisfactorily complete his recovery”.

Mohamed Salah shrugs off injury to join Egypt training

GROZNY: Mohamed Salah gave Egypt’s World Cup hopes a huge boost Wednesday when he joined a squad training session here. Team doctor Mohamed Abou al-ela said Salah “participated in part of the training with the team and completed the other part alone”. Team director Ihab Lahita was cagey about his progress, saying there was no guarantee Salah will play in their opener against Uruguay on Friday.

Disgraced Blatter to attend Cup as Putin’s guest

MOSCOW: Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter will attend the World Cup in Russia as a personal guest of President Vladimir Putin. He will arrive here on or around June 20. “I will be in Moscow first and it will be very nice,” he said.