“The tournament will be one of the most unpredictable in history”
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On the eve of the start of the World Cup in Qatar, Kommersant asked experts and fans about who would win the tournament.
Valery Gazzaev, Honored Coach of Russia:
Photo: Dmitry Dukhanin, Kommersant
– This championship is one of the strongest: Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, teams that really set the goal of winning. For Messi, this is most likely the last World Cup, there is also a galaxy of wonderful age-old Argentine football players who dream of the title, for example, Angel De Maria.
Neymar in the Brazilian national team is the same. There is also an ambitious group of Portuguese footballers led by Ronaldo. I really like the Serbian national team, strong, well-played, skilled. They may well replace the Croats who were in the final at the last World Cup.
Lev Leshchenko, People’s Artist of the RSFSR:
Photo: Ivan Vodopyanov, Kommersant
– There is an old joke: there are many favorites, but the Germans win. Excellent preparation, teamwork, a large number of young and especially older motivated players, discipline give the German national team hope for success. Just to withstand the heat. Well, the British, the French, maybe they will also show class. Taking into account the specifics of the climate and due to the class, Brazil or Argentina can shoot.
Alexander Tarkhanov, Vice-President of Pyunik Club (Yerevan):
Photo: Yuri Strelets, Kommersant
My favorite is Brazil. The Argentina national team is still strong. In addition to a strong composition, the weather will help both. There are chances for France, Spain, maybe England. Denmark may come as a surprise, playing good football with almost no stars. The Qatar team can reach the quarterfinals, no more. I don’t foresee any other surprises.
George Jikia, captain of FC Spartak and the Russian national team:
Photo: Alexey Vitvitsky, Kommersant
– My focus will be on the Portuguese national team. Last World Cup for Ronaldo. I think one of the best squads in recent years: a mixture of experienced and young players from the best leagues and teams in the world.
Valery Gladilin, Honored Coach of Russia:
Photo: Evgeny Odinokov / RIA Novosti
– There will be no sensations. I will root for Argentina. She is the number one favorite, because the team has matured, become experienced, and Messi is in such a shape that fate and luck should turn to him. It is unfair if such an outstanding player does not become a world champion.
Maybe Belgium will even reach the semi-finals and compete for something with Brazil, Germany and France. But these giants have already won more than once and do not even come to the 2022 World Cup with a different task.
Alimzhan Tokhtakhunov, Honored Coach of Russia, President of the National Football Fund:
Photo: Dmitry Korotaev, Kommersant
– The four undisputed leaders – Argentina and Brazil, Germany and France, which I really like, can be decisively overthrown by the team of Portugal. Ronaldo’s position at Manchester United is not the best right now, and he will undoubtedly want to excel, will tear and throw. But all forecasts can be confused by her majesty fortune. Therefore, let’s cheer for everyone who will show beautiful football!
Vyacheslav Malafeev, ex-goalkeeper of the St. Petersburg “Zenith” (1997-2016) and the Russian national team (2003-2012):
Photo: Dmitry Azarov, Kommersant
— England, France, Brazil or Argentina. A multi-day tournament is ahead, which will become one of the most unpredictable in history. And these teams have very strong squads with the maximum set of everything you need: from adults and experienced guys, such as Dani Alves in the Brazilian national team, to young and creative players who have become calmer and stronger after offensive misses in the final of the Euro 2021 in the series penalty, as was the case with England’s Saka. France can confirm their status as the best team. Argentina won the Copa America last year and have not lost at all for 35 matches, and Messi recently said that this World Cup will be his last.
Alexander Zhukov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma:
Photo: Alexander Kazakov, Kommersant
– The favorites will traditionally be the Brazilians and the Germans, and the current champions – the French. And I would not discount the British, the Portuguese and the Argentines.
Sergey Yuran, player of the national teams of the USSR and Russia, coach:
Photo: Ivan Vodopyanov, Kommersant
– In the final, I think Argentina and someone from Europe will meet. Everyone is used to the fact that the World Cup takes place after the end of the season, after qualifying and friendly games. That is, when there is a moment of accumulation of fatigue, and here the teams have just completed the first round and are in optimal shape. High-class teams may lose a certain advantage because of this, all players will be fresh and everyone will have a lot of strength.
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