World Cup 2022: Ronaldo Admits He Will Be Happy if Messi Wins Mundial

• Ronaldo Nazario confessed he will have mixed feelings if Messi wins the World Cup
• Argentina are the only South American nation left and will face Croatia in the semis
• The legendary Brazilian striker's country was knocked out via a penalty shootout

Ronaldo Nazario has admitted he will be excited should Lionel Messi win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Ronaldo's Brazil - touted as tournament favourites - bowed out of the competition in melodramatic fashion, conceding a late equaliser before losing in a penalty shootout to Croatia.

With Argentina billed to face Croatia in the semi-finals, the Brazil football icon disclosed he will be conflicted should Messi win the Mundial, owing to the long-standing rivalry between La Albiceleste and his home nation.

“I would be happy if Messi won the World Cup; I would not be happy, as a Brazilian,” he told MD via Football Espana.

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“We all deserve it. Football is playing and winning. Nobody is going to give you anything. Not for his story, not for anything.

The former striker believes Messi has a chance to claim the coveted trophy.

"Argentina doesn’t play great football, but they have the incredible desire. They all run a lot together, they all have an aggressiveness… and then they have Messi, who when he approaches the area is very decisive. Personally, I would be happy for him if he wins it."

Ronaldo names World Cup favourites

Ronaldo has backed France to retain the World Cup, following their impressive performance at the ongoing tournament in Qatar.

Didier Deschamps and his team qualified for the semi-finals after dispatching England 2-1 in the quarter-finals, with Oliver Giroud grabbing the winning goal.

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According to Sportskeeda, Ronaldo believes France is now the favourite to win the tournament and believes Kylian Mbappe is their greatest weapon.

R9 not regarded in Brazil

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that former AC Milan and Real Madrid superstar Kaka recently claimed Ronaldo Nazario is seen as 'a fat man walking down the street' by his fellow Brazilians.

R9 is considered one of the best forwards in the history of the game and has the unique stat of having won two World Cups, in 1994 and 2002.

But apparently, Ronaldo's legendary status means little to the people of his country, according to his former teammate.