Former Mexico striker Jared Borgetti believes France are the strongest candidates to win the World Cup, tipping them to potentially meet Spain in what would be a blockbuster final this summer.
Ex Bolton Wanderers star Borgetti scored 46 goals for his country and played in two World Cup tournaments.
He expects a highly-contested battle for the Golden Boot, naming England captain Harry Kane and France striker Kylian Mbappé as his primary contenders for the prestigious accolade.
He also weighed in on the evergreen star duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as they embark on their sixth World Cups, reasoning that while their game-changing, explosive peaks have inevitably passed, their immense experience and emotional presence will remain vital.
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Hotly contested
During an exclusive conversation with10bet, Borgetti said: “The Golden Boot will be hotly contested.
“One of the contenders could certainly be Harry Kane, and another I think could be Mbappé. For me, I think they’re the candidates to win the Golden Boot.”
Portugal forward Ronaldo was a big disappointment at his last international tournament, and Borgetti added: “This will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup, and he’s certainly not the same Cristiano Ronaldo he was 10 years ago, a decisive player who made a real difference.
“Age takes its toll, especially at the highest level, where it’s much harder.
“But he will be an important player, and his experience will be good for his national team, absolutely.
“I don’t think we should expect Cristiano Ronaldo to bring another level to Portugal; I think that time has passed.
“But he can certainly be a player who, at certain moments, can help the team achieve an important result.
“I don’t think he’ll be a game-changer, nor do I think he’ll go unnoticed. I think he’ll do a good job.”
Heat will be a factor
Inter Miami star Messi guided Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 – and many are tipping the former Barcelona playmaker to have a big impact in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Borgetti said: “Lionel Messi will also be appearing at his sixth World Cup, just like Cristiano Ronaldo.
“His age will show, the heat will too, and the demands will always be the same for these types of players. But we have to take into account, as I mentioned, his age.
“The quality is there, but a different pace isn’t the best for competing in these games.
“He’ll have a good impact, especially on the emotional side of his national team, and that’s always important for his team-mates, knowing they have a player who makes a difference, who has a great presence.
“Hopefully, he can help his team reach the top.
Final destination
On the subject of who will reach the final and win the World Cup, Borgetti concluded: “Saying who will win is difficult, but of the candidates who I think have worked very well in recent years and have a very good generation of players, for me, France is the strongest candidate to win the World Cup.
“I think the final will be a real battle this time around. If I said France would be champion, then obviously France would be one of them.
“The other, well, I don’t know, we’d have to check the brackets and I don’t know if they’ll face each other beforehand, but I think for me, the two teams that are candidates to be world champions, and if the brackets work out and it goes all the way to the final, it would be a very good final between Spain and France.”
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Michael Davey