With the World Cup set to begin this weekend, many pundits have weighed in on what they expect to see this year in Qatar.
One such individual is none other than Kaka. Although he was forced to retire much earlier than anticipated due to injuries, the 40-year-old star is widely viewed as one of the best to play the game. During his career, he won both the Champions League with AC Milan, as well as two Confederation Cups (2005 and 2009) as well as the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil. Additionally, he is known as the last player to win the Ballon d'Or (in 2007) before the rise and dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The former Rossoneri ace recently weighed in on his thoughts as to which teams he views as serious contenders to win the big prize at the 22nd iteration of the tournament. Not surprisingly, he picked his native Brazil, who are currently ranked as the top side in the world, as well as fellow South American powerhouse Argentina, who come into this competition having won the 2021 Copa America.
Reigning champions France also were given a mention, as Les Bleus will be hoping to become the third side in history - after Italy and Brazil - to win back to back titles.
But it is one of the teams he also mentioned that has caused some buzz. Alongside the aforementioned trio, Kaka also noted that Serbia could become the tournament's dark horses.
Serbia notably beat Portugal 2-1 on the final matchday to book their spot at this competition, and they will come into this contest having lost just two of their last 15 fixtures across all comps.
And just as their neighbor, Croatia, shocked everyone by making it to the final, Kaka believes that Serbia could do the same with a deep run four years later.
With player like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, Dusan Tadic, Sergej Milinković-Savić and Filip Kostic in their ranks, they certainly do look like they have what it takes to be this tournament's big surprises.
But as to whether Kaka's estimation of them comes true, we will just have to wait and see as to how things pan out. Brazil will face Serbia in their tournament opener on November 24th in what looks to be an interesting clash for both fans and neutrals alike.
