Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes Brazil and Spain are the favourites for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The 35 year-old, who won the tournament in 2006, is not ruling out a surprise challenger, but expects Spain to put up a strong defence of their title.
“Brazil and Spain are favourites,” he told a press conference today. “A World Cup can always throw up surprises, but Spain have all they need to defend their title: They are a massive team with some terrific match winners within their side.”
Pirlo is expected to start for Italy when they kick-off their 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign against England on Saturday.