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Messi fears England threat
Argentina forward Lionel Messi believes England are among the leading contenders to lift the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
Many people's favourites for the tournament are Spain and Brazil, but the 22-year-old puts Fabio Capello's side in the same category.
"I think that right now, the strongest sides going into the World Cup are Spain, England and Brazil," he told CNN International. "They had a strong, easy qualifying and are very tough."
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The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments
| Years | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
| 2006 | Italy | France | Germany |
| 2002 | Brazil | Germany | Turkey |
| 1998 | France | Brazil | Croatia |
| 1994 | Brazil | Italy | Sweden |
| 1990 | Germany | Argentina | Italy |
| 1986 | Argentina | Germany | France |
| 1982 | Italy | Germany | Poland |
| 1978 | Argentina | Holland | Brazil |
| 1974 | Germany | Holland | Poland |
| 1970 | Brazil | Italy | Germany |
| 1966 | England | Germany | Portugal |
| 1962 | Brazil | Czech | Chile |
| 1958 | Brazil | Sweden | France |
| 1954 | Germany | Hungary | Austria |
| 1950 | Uruguay | Brazil | Sweden |
| 1938 | Italy | Hungary | Brazil |
| 1934 | Italy | Czech | Germany |
| 1930 | Uruguay | Argentina | America |
