Premier League

12 big names that want to see Lionel Messi lift the World Cup: Keane, Ronaldo, Modric…

12 big names that want to see Lionel Messi lift the World Cup: Keane, Ronaldo, Modric...

Lionel Messi has the chance to lift the World Cup on Sunday and it won’t just be the Argentinians cheering him on. 

Kylian Mbappe and France stand in Messi’s way of sealing sporting immortality with the only trophy that’s always eluded him. He finished as a runner-up in 2014 and will be desperate to avoid the same fate at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Having dominated the sport like no other over the past 15 years – winning a record seven Ballon d’Or in that time – Messi has picked up millions of fans across the world, including royalty from the world of football.

There are even those who have represented Messi’s great rivals – Real Madrid and Brazil – who are willing the Argentinian to go out and do it.

Here are 12 big names who will be cheering on Messi and Argentina in the World Cup final.

Roy Keane

“It’s a pleasure to watch him live, it really is. Obviously he’s played at a really good level, but the level he’s at, at his age, he’s doing that against some brilliant players, and it’s fantastic, what a player,” the former Manchester United captain told ITV.

“You know what? I really hope he goes on to win it. I think that would be the icing on the cake for the man – he’s just fantastic.”

Jamie Carragher

“I am desperate for Messi to win because he belongs on the same pedestal as Pele and Maradona. A World Cup winners’ medal removes the only shred of doubt about his place. For me, it would mean going beyond all others,” wrote the former Liverpool centre-back in his Telegraph column.

Ronaldo

The Brazil icon gave a diplomatic answer.

“I cannot answer for the whole of Brazil. I can only answer for me. And I am not that sure! Yeah, of course, I will be happy for him (Messi).

“But, you know, we have a great rivalry between Brazil and Argentina. But I will not be that much of a hypocrite to say I will be happy for Argentina because it’s not true. But, of course, I see football as a romantic. Of course, I will accept (an Argentine triumph) and I will enjoy any champion.”

Rivaldo

Ronaldo isn’t the only member of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning side to have a soft spot for…

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