While Messi focused on the current form of Portugal and France, he insisted that the historical heavyweights of international football cannot be ignored. Specifically, he pointed to Brazil and Spain as teams that possess the pedigree to go all the way, regardless of any perceived struggles in the build-up to the summer showcase.
Messi admitted that while both nations have faced periods of inconsistency, their inherent quality makes them permanent threats on the global stage. “Spain and Brazil, which, even though they haven’t been at their best for a little while, are always contenders,” he said.