Lionel Messi: England are favourites to win

Lionel Messi suugested this week that England are one of the three favourites in South Africa. When the best player in the world speaks, people listen. Messi's elevation above the ranks of mere mortals in football boots during the past 12 months has earned him the right to be respected for his opinions as well as his body swerve.

Messi said: 'I think that, right now, the strongest sides going into the World Cup are Spain, England and Brazil. England had a strong, easy qualifying and are very tough.'

Whether that means people back in England will raise national expectations further is open to question. After all, great players do not always make great coaches, judges or commentators!