<p>Former Brazil star Ronaldo says he cannot get behind his country's great sporting rivals Argentina at the World Cup, and backs France as "big favourites" to retain their title.</p>.<p>Lionel Messi likely has one final chance to lift the only major trophy missing from his collection, but Ronaldo will not be rooting for the South Americans in Tuesday's semi-final against Croatia.</p>.<p>"I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say I'll be happy for Argentina" if they win the World Cup, said Ronaldo. "But I see football as a romantic. And I will appreciate any champion."</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/france-favourites-but-morocco-eye-another-knockout-punch-1171008.html" target="_blank">France favourites but Morocco eye another knockout punch</a></strong></p>.<p>"Since the beginning, my prediction has always been Brazil and France in the final," the two-time World Cup winner told media including AFP at a roundtable in Doha.</p>.<p>"Brazil are no longer there. But France, match after match, are backing up their status as favourites and I still see them as the big favourites."</p>.<p>Ronaldo, who scored both goals in the 2002 World Cup final against Germany, expects France to see off surprise semi-finalists Morocco on Wednesday.</p>.<p>"I would really like (Morocco to win) but I don't think they will. I think France have a very solid team, whether it's in defence, attack or midfield," said the twice former Ballon d'Or winner.</p>.<p>Ronaldo has in particular been impressed by Kylian Mbappe, the tournament's leading scorer in Qatar with five goals.</p>.<p>"He knows how to use his skills, how to go faster than the others. And he uses them to give assists or to score," said Ronaldo, who expects the 23-year-old Mbappe to shatter numerous records.</p>.<p>"He has the time, the skills, he's thirsty and he has the talent to conquer it all, that's for sure."</p>.<p>Ronaldo paid tribute to Morocco's performances after the Atlas Lions became the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final and the first Arab team to do so.</p>.<p>"It's a great football story that an African team is in the semi-finals of a World Cup," he said. "I saw the reactions in Morocco, what football gives us is very beautiful."</p>
<p>Former Brazil star Ronaldo says he cannot get behind his country's great sporting rivals Argentina at the World Cup, and backs France as "big favourites" to retain their title.</p>.<p>Lionel Messi likely has one final chance to lift the only major trophy missing from his collection, but Ronaldo will not be rooting for the South Americans in Tuesday's semi-final against Croatia.</p>.<p>"I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say I'll be happy for Argentina" if they win the World Cup, said Ronaldo. "But I see football as a romantic. And I will appreciate any champion."</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/france-favourites-but-morocco-eye-another-knockout-punch-1171008.html" target="_blank">France favourites but Morocco eye another knockout punch</a></strong></p>.<p>"Since the beginning, my prediction has always been Brazil and France in the final," the two-time World Cup winner told media including AFP at a roundtable in Doha.</p>.<p>"Brazil are no longer there. But France, match after match, are backing up their status as favourites and I still see them as the big favourites."</p>.<p>Ronaldo, who scored both goals in the 2002 World Cup final against Germany, expects France to see off surprise semi-finalists Morocco on Wednesday.</p>.<p>"I would really like (Morocco to win) but I don't think they will. I think France have a very solid team, whether it's in defence, attack or midfield," said the twice former Ballon d'Or winner.</p>.<p>Ronaldo has in particular been impressed by Kylian Mbappe, the tournament's leading scorer in Qatar with five goals.</p>.<p>"He knows how to use his skills, how to go faster than the others. And he uses them to give assists or to score," said Ronaldo, who expects the 23-year-old Mbappe to shatter numerous records.</p>.<p>"He has the time, the skills, he's thirsty and he has the talent to conquer it all, that's for sure."</p>.<p>Ronaldo paid tribute to Morocco's performances after the Atlas Lions became the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final and the first Arab team to do so.</p>.<p>"It's a great football story that an African team is in the semi-finals of a World Cup," he said. "I saw the reactions in Morocco, what football gives us is very beautiful."</p>