Wayne Rooney has been tipped to become the outstanding player of the World Cup, by former Argentina coach Carlos Bilardo.
“There are good players in several national teams but I think the kid Rooney of England is going to be the revelation,” said Bilardo, who steered the side captained by Diego to Argentina’s second world title in Mexico in 1986.
“(Rooney) is a potent player, fast, a good finisher and for defenders he’ll be hard to mark,” added Bilardo in an interview with Reuters on Friday.
“In Mexico we had the luck to have the best Maradona.”
Bilardo said Argentina teenager Lionel Messi and Italian striker Luca Toni were also among the players to look out for, although, overall, he believes Brazil are the team to beat.
He said Brazil were favourites to retain their crown but that coach Jose Pekerman’s Argentina can beat them.
“Brazil, from the middle forward, because of their players, look invincible but in a World Cup it’s all very different and you have to show (your superiority),” Bilardo said.
“For me the champions will be Argentina, Brazil or Germany because they are the home team.
The only other teams likely to win the June 9-July 9 tournament were European former winners England and Italy.
“There are no African (world) champions, or Asian so there’s no way (they can win it),” said Bilardo, a qualified doctor who now hosts a football radio programme.
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