Figo picks Brazil as his favourite to deliver in Russia
Former Real galactico from Portugal holds Neymar and Messi in high esteem
Portugal’s football legend and Laureus Academy member Luis Figo has picked Brazil as his favourite to win the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with @LaureusSport, Figo has also given his verdict on the chances of some of the top teams in the competition — Argentina, Germany, Portugal and Spain.
“Well, I always say that my favourites are the teams who have more experience in the World Cup and have more history because that helps in my opinion. So for me, I think Brazil this year is favourite. And there is Spain. I think they are the two teams with more quality,” Figo told LaureusSport in the interview.
“Spain will have one of the best teams, but perhaps they don’t score enough goals. They have good strikers but they miss the opportunity to score, unlike Raul and [Fernando] Torres before. I would like to have a final like that: Brazil versus Spain. Or Portugal versus Spain, or Portugal versus Brazil would be good for me,” he added.
During a 15-year career spanning from 1991 to 2006, Figo has scored 32 goals in his 127 appearances for Portugal. Now 45, Figo had a successful career highlighted by several wins, including the Portuguese Cup, four La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, one Uefa Champions League title, one Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup, two Uefa Super Cups and one Intercontinental Cup, four Serie A title, one Italian Cup and three Italian Super Cups, among others. He represented his country at three European Championships and two World Cups, with his best being a runners-up spot at Euro 2004.
Figo also admitted that he has been a huge fan of former FC Barcelona teammates Neymar Junior and Lionel Messi. “Neymar for me is an amazing player. I think he’s one of the best. In the future he will be the best football player in the world. He’s fast, he’s amazing. He has everything to be the No.1. Brazil is always strong. They have so many millions of persons in the country and so it’s easier to produce footballers, than say in Portugal. We have just eleven,” the Portuguese playmaker admitted.