Lionel Messi believes Neymar and Philippe Coutinho will have big summers (Picture: Getty)

Lionel Messi has picked out eight players who he believes will shine at the World Cup – and there are some notable omissions.

The Barcelona icon, widely regarded as the greatest to ever play the game, remains frustrated by a lack of success on the global stage with Argentina.

At 30 years old, Messi’s opportunities to lift the trophy are running out and Jorge Sampaoli’s side are viewed as outsiders summer in Russia.

Brazil are the favourites for the title and Messi believes Neymar and Philippe Coutinho could take the tournament by storm.


However, the forward failed to mention Portugal and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo when asked who he thinks will impress.



‘Brazil have Ney and Philippe,’ he told El Mundo Deportivo.

Lionel Messi has backed Philippe Coutinho to impress (Picture: Getty)

Eden Hazard’s Belgium take on England in Group G (Picture: Getty)

Messi named Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe as the other players to watch this summer.

He added: ‘Spain have Andres Iniesta and Silva. Germany don’t have any one star but they are very solid.

‘Belgium have Hazard and De Bruyne. France have Griezmann and Mbappe.

‘The tournament is full of very good players.’

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