Brazil icon Rivaldo has stunningly backed his country’s arch-rivals Argentina (opens in new tab) to win World Cup 2022 (opens in new tab), claiming that ‘God will crown’ Lionel Messi a world champion on Sunday.
Argentina reached their sixth World Cup final by cruising past Croatia (opens in new tab) 3-0 in the semis on Tuesday, with Messi scoring and setting up his fifth and third goals of the tournament respectively.
The Albiceleste – who have the magical performances of their legendary captain, playing at likely his last World Cup, to thank for getting to the final – will face either France or Morocco as they look to win the trophy for the third time (the very first time in Messi’s case).
Whatever happens, they’ll have South American bragging rights after Brazil were knocked out in the quarter-finals on penalties by Croatia – but while millions of Brazilians will no doubt be willing on France (opens in new tab) or surprise package Morocco (opens in new tab), one of their previous World Cup winners seems to want their fierce foes to triumph.
Rivaldo – a member of Brazil’s victorious 2002 squad – posted his support for Messi on Instagram on Tuesday.
Messi has strongly hinted that Qatar 2022 will be the last World Cup of his career – and that’s highly likely considering he’ll be 39 by the time the next one rolls around.
Having made it to his second final, he’ll be hoping to go one better than his previous appearance in the biggest match of all at Brazil 2014 – when Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany in extra time.
Argentina last won the World Cup back in 1986, when they were inspired by a similarly genius national hero: Diego Maradona.