BRAZIL legend Ronaldo has revealed that he would be happy for Lionel Messi if he was to guide Argentina to World Cup glory.
The former striker, 46, has been a regular attendee at matches in Qatar, even after his country were eliminated.
Ronaldo has admitted that he doesn’t want fierce rivals Argentina to win the World Cup… but that he’d find Messi triumphing a nice silver lining.
Chatting to reporters in Doha, he said: “I’m going to be honest, I can’t say I want Argentina to win, it would be lying.
“I wouldn’t be happy as a Brazilian.
“They all deserve it. Football is about playing and winning, nobody is going to give you anything. They all have a chance, of course.
“Argentina don’t play great football but they have an incredible desire.
“They all run a lot together, they all have that aggressiveness… and then they have Messi, who when he gets in the box is very decisive.
“Personally, I would be happy for him if he wins it.”
Despite his admiration for Messi, R9 is backing France to go all the way once again.
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He added: “My prediction from the beginning was always Brazil and France in the final.
“Brazil are gone. France, game after game, have been confirming why they’re favourites and continue to have the best chance of winning the World Cup.”
Argentina take on Brazil’s conquerors Croatia on Tuesday night, before reigning champions France face Morocco 24 hours later.
Messi and Co squeezed past the Netherlands on penalties in the most dramatic of the quarter-finals, after the PSG star scored and laid on a brilliant assist in the 2-2 draw.
The 35-year-old is a front-runner for player of the tournament, having scored four goals and set up a further two in five matches in Qatar.
Ronaldo, meanwhile was taught how to do the pigeon dance by Richarlison earlier in the tournament.
Following Sunday’s final, he will go back to his day job as owner of Spanish club Real Valladolid.
