JAKARTA - Former Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo said he supports France more as a strong favorite to defend the World Cup title, than teams from fellow South American countries Argentina.
Lionel Messi may have one last chance to lift the only major trophy that is still not in his collection, but Ronaldo will not support the South American side in Tuesday's semi-final against Croatia.
"Of course I would be happy for Messi (if Argentina won), but you have an eternal rivalry between Brazil and Argentina so I'm hypocritical to say I'm happy for Argentina if they win the World Cup," Ronaldo said.
"But I see football as a romance. And I will respect whoever wins."
"From the start, my predictions were always Brazil and France in the final," the two-time World Cup winner (1994 and 2002) told the media in Doha.
"Brazil no longer exists. But France, game after game, show their status as favorites and I still see them as strong favorites."
Ronaldo, who scored both goals in the 2002 World Cup final against Germany, expects France to beat Morocco, a surprise semifinalist, on Wednesday.
"I really want (Maroko to win) but I don't think they will be able to do it. I think France has a very solid team, either in defense, attack, or midfield," said the former two-time Ballon d'Or winner, as quoted by AFP.
The player whose full name is Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima was particularly impressed with Kylian Mbappe, the tournament's top scorer in Qatar with five goals.
"He knows how to use his skills, how to move faster than others. And he uses it to provide feedback or score goals," said Ronaldo, who expects 23-year-old Mbappe to break many records.
"He has time, skills, he is hungry and he has the talent to conquer everything, of course."
Ronaldo praised Morocco's performance after the Atlas Lion became the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals.
"This is a great football story that the African team is in the semifinals of the World Cup," he said. "I saw a reaction in Morocco, really the football that was given to us was so beautiful."
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