WORLD CUP 2010: Lionel Messi: England are favourites to win

Last updated at 11:29 PM on 28th May 2010

His country's traditional pre-World Cup euphoria will begin in earnest after Lionel Messi asserted yesterday that England are one of the three favourites in South Africa.

When the best player in the world speaks, people listen. Messi's elevation above the ranks of mere mortals in football boots during the past 12 months has earned him the right to be respected for his opinions as well as his body swerve.

Good relationship: Argentina's coach Diego Maradona, right, and Lionel Messi

Messi said: 'I think that, right now, the strongest sides going into the World Cup are Spain, England and Brazil. England had a strong, easy qualifying and are very tough.'

Whether that means we need to raise national expectations still further is open to question. After all, great players do not always make great coaches or judges - consider Messi's national coach Diego Maradona as exhibit No 1 for that premise.

In spite of enjoying revered status in Argentina, Maradona has yet to convince the world that he can lead a team from the sidelines to World Cup glory as effortlessly as he did on the pitch in 1986. Messi hinted in an interview with CNN International that Maradona's transition from player to coach might have been hampered by the inferiority of the players themselves.

He added: 'At first, it was strange to have him as our coach. The truth is he was a little imposing. But, afterwards, we started getting used to him and he's been our coach for a while so now it's normal. Also, he's really close to the players. He's one of the guys so there's no problem.

'Maradona has always been very nice to me - even before he was our coach and I took my first steps as a professional. Now that I have him as a manager, he's even closer and gives me a lot more confidence than he did before.

'Hopefully, it will be my World Cup, Argentina's World Cup. Hopefully, we hit the ground running, play up to people's expectations and win it.'

Messi defended his role in the Argentina lineup, in which he is more confined to the wings than when given the licence to roam and drift inside that he has exploited with devastating effect at Barcelona this season. The 22-year-old has also had to cope with jibes that he has yet to perform as well for country as he does for his club.

'People have an opinion and I respect it. I'm the first person who wants to do well with my national team and perform like I do with Barcelona. I know this is a really good opportunity.

'They are different systems and different styles and everything. At Barcelona, Guardiola decided to use me more in the middle and that's when I had more touches on the ball and played more around the front of the area. I've had the luck to be able to score more goals.'

With impressive recent form - a 5-0 thumping of Canada in Buenos Aires on Monday - and a straightforward group containing Greece, Nigeria and South Korea, Argentina might also have warranted a mention in Messi's despatch about the pre-tournament favourites.