Lionel Messi picks Brazil, France and England as World Cup favourites

CLOSE CONTROL: Argentina's Lionel Messi controls the ball during a training session ahead of their friendly match with UAE. Pic: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili

Argentina's Lionel Messi has picked out Brazil, France and England as the biggest threats to his dream of finally adding a World Cup winners' medal to his bulging trophy cabinet.

The 35-year-old Paris St Germain forward will again shoulder Argentina's hopes in Qatar as they bid to deliver the South American country's third world title and first since 1986.