HONG KONG: Former England striker Michael Owen believes that the brilliance of Lionel Messi and the familiarity with the conditions in Brazil will help Argentina win the World Cup.
After a spectacular haul of trophies with Barcelona, Messi has a chance to lead Argentina to glory on the World Cup stage and build on his reputation as one of the all-time greats.
The four-times World Player of the Year has won a glittering array of club silverware and has established himself as one of the finest footballers to grace the game, but some believe he must win the World Cup before he can be hailed as a true great.
“They’ve got some fabulous players in (Angel) Di Maria and Messi, Higuain, and Aguero - lots of top-class players,” Owen said at a promotional event in Hong Kong.
“I know Brazil is next door but I think they are playing basically in their home conditions and I think that this is Messi’s time to shine on the world stage.
“Some people would argue that you can’t be considered the best player of all time unless you do win the World Cup but I’m sure that he will want to perform very well.
“He’s obviously one of the best, either the best or the second best player in the world at the moment.”
Owen, who scored 40 goals in 89 games for England, made a dramatic impact as an 18-year-old at the 2002 World Cup finals with a stunning individual goal against Argentina.
He retired from football in 2013.
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand, who left Manchester United at the end of the season, has no intention of retiring yet and has had offers from a number of clubs, he told the Mail on Sunday newspaper.
In his first column ahead of the World Cup, where he will be working as a television pundit, the former England defender wrote: “I see myself as going to Rio very much as an active footballer with playing time ahead of me.
“It is feasible that in the coming weeks, perhaps even while I’m in South America, I’ll make a decision about the next stage in my career.
“I have options on the table from several clubs in England and overseas for next season and I’m intending to play on if the right situation arises.” AGENCIES
