Busquets: The number one favourites are Brazil World Cup - Spain Backed Spain to go far in Russia

After a successful season with Barcelona, Sergio Busquets has now turned his attention to the World Cup with Spain, but he does not believe that his country are the favourites.

Reflecting on the odds and contenders, he expressed optimism for his team, but believes another nation has the best chance.

"The number one favourite is Brazil, then there is a group of national teams that we can be in, of Germany, Spain, Argentina and France," he assessed in an interview with TV3.

"They have very good players are great teams and, if they win, it won't be a surprise.

"We had a bad experience in Brazil and a very good one in South Africa.

"We're very excited, we're coming into it in good shape physically.

"As a team, we had a very good qualification.

"We don't have an easy group, but if we do things well, we can go very far."

The midfielder also reflected on Real Madrid's recent success in the Champions League and what both Barcelona and Spain can take from it.

"At the end of the day, when you play in these big tournaments you always need a bit of luck at some point," he said.

"When you win three in a row, it means that you are doing well, it can't all be luck."

The Camp Nou and the Spain squad will have a very different complexion after the tournament as it will be the last time that Andres Iniesta will don the same shirt as Busquets in a competitive game.

"For everything that Iniesta is, on the pitch, off it and in the dressing room, it will be very difficult to fill the hole he leaves," he admitted.

"But in the end it is the law of life in football, it's happened with [Carles] Puyol, Xavi and it will keep happening.

"We have to work very hard and much more so that you notice his absence as little as possible."

At club level, the armband will be passed on to Lionel Messi, though his teammate insists that this summer is not as pivotal as some may have suggested for his legacy.

"He doesn't need a World Cup to know that he is the best in the world," Busquets insisted.

"He has been the best player in the world for this decade he has been playing and it will always be remembered."

If he is correct, the Barcelona duo may even come head to head in the latter stages of the World Cup as both fight for the crown.