Punters fancy Messi winning elusive World Cup
Lionel Messi’s last opportunity to win the World Cup has tugged at the heartstrings and purse-strings – or credit cards at least.
The player many regard as the greatest footballer in history is set to represent Argentina for the last time on the biggest stage when the tournament starts in Qatar on Monday.
Messi and Argentina were beaten in the round of 16 in 2018 by France in a thriller after losing the 2014 final against Germany.
TAB bookmaker Paul Maoate said the 35-year-old’s national side has been heavily favoured by bettors to give Messi the perfect send-off.
‘‘Argentina opened up at $9.50 [to win the Cup], that was their top price – they got down as low as $6 and they’re currently $6.50.’’
Maoate said the ‘‘two worst results’’ for the TAB would be either Argentina or favourites Brazil lifting the trophy.
‘‘Brazil opened in the outright winner market here at $5.50, reached a top price of $6, a low of $4.33, and are currently at $4.50.’’
The four-yearly football World Cup has historically been the biggest turnover event for New Zealand’s only betting agency.
‘‘It’s the one tournament every four years that the football punters absolutely flock to,’’ said Maoate, with 60,000 people having a bet on the 2018 event.
That popularity for punters is bound to be replicated over the next month, with the timing of games providing quite a ‘‘sweet spot’’ for New Zealand TV viewers.
Maoate said there’s a wide spread of betting across all teams among the 70 outright markets, which include Cup winner and Golden Boot (tournament top goalscorer), while the organisation has already taken money on the first-round matches.
The Netherlands have attracted a $1000 bet at the odds of $13 to win the tournament while Belgium have been backed by another punter to the tune of $900 at $11.
French striker Kylian Mbappe, a Cup winner in Russia in 2018 and the joint second-highest goalscorer at the tournament, is the bestbacked player in terms of turnover to win the Golden Boot in Qatar at $9 – he’s on the second line of the market behind England’s Harry Kane at $8.
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez has also received backing at $23, shortening his price to $21 as he aims to help send his illustrious team-mate out a winner.
At a glance
Stuff’s World Cup tips: Winner: Argentina $6.50
To make the semifinals: Serbia $14
Golden Boot: Messi (Arg) $13, Havertz (Germany) $34, Mitrovic (Serb) $51