Lionel Messi's Argentina cut to 11-2 for World Cup glory in Qatar

Fairytales sometimes do happen and on the eve of the World Cup punters have continued to back Lionel Messi to cement his legacy by leading Argentina to glory in Qatar.

Argentina are now a best-priced 11-2 to be crowned world champions for a third time in the Middle East, while Messi has been cut to 10-1 from 12-1 to win the Golden Boot and is as short as 7-1, having been 12-1, to claim the Golden Ball for the second time in his career.

The Albiceleste are considered one of the main contenders for the title and head into the tournament on a 36-match unbeaten run after a 5-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in their final warm-up on Wednesday, with Messi on the scoresheet.

There is a South American feel to many of the markets at the World Cup with bet365's Steve Freeth revealing that Argentina and Brazil are dominating the outright market with their liabilities running into millions.

Freeth said: “We've only ever had one all-South American final and that was the inaugural World Cup with limited teams from Europe.

"But with the business we've seen in the lead-up to the 2022 showpiece, our customers are predicting something similar to 1930."

Meanwhile, Argentina's Lautaro Martinez at 22-1 and 40-1 Darwin Nunez of Uruguay are among the Stoke firm's biggest liabilities in the top goalscorer market.

However, Freeth revealed that punters aren't as enthusiastic about England's chances of becoming world champions for the first time since 1966. He added: "Make no mistake, we'd take an England win with Harry Kane doing the business once again, because there’s not much interest in them and there’s not much love for Cristiano Ronaldo either."

Argentina are 2-11 to win their opener in Group C against Saudi Arabia and Messi can be backed at 5-2 to open the scoring.

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