Maradona: Brazil the most likely to win World Cup
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-27 16:20

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) _ Diego Maradona said Sunday that Brazil has the greatest chances to win the World Cup in Germany.

"Brazil is the most prepared team ... it has a top coach and its players are already used to winning," the former Argentine star said in an interview with the local TV Record. "It will be very hard to beat them."

Maradona made the comments in Rio de Janeiro, where he's attending the city's Carnival parade.

Despite calling Brazil a heavily favored to win the title, Maradona said it wouldn't be a huge surprise if the five-time world champion failed to come out victorious in Germany.

"In soccer, there's no such thing as an invincible team," he said. "Every team will be trying as hard as they can to keep Brazil from winning another title."

Maradona said Argentina also has a shot at the title, but added that "a lot has to happen at the right moments for that to happen."

The World Cup begins June 9. Brazil is in Group F with Croatia, Australia and Japan, while its South American archrival is in Group C with the Netherlands, Serbia-Montenegro and Ivory Coast.