Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , England hero Emile Heskey has cast his eye over the wider World Cup and the debates surrounding the game's greatest players.
The former Three Lions star has praised the progress of nations like South Africa and Curacao , questioned the strength of Carlo Ancelotti 's Brazil , and given his verdict on whether Arne Slot should take the Netherlands job.
The ex- Liverpool and Aston Villa man has also explained why Lionel Messi is confirming his status as the greatest of all time and saluted Cristiano Ronaldo 's chase for 1,000 goals.
South Africa
What Did You Make of South Africa?
South Africa 's level certainly improved for this tournament. It's great to see these teams reaching this stage. You look at Cape Verde , Haiti , Curacao , and Panama . It's great to see them because it shows families in the Caribbean that there is an opportunity. Everyone should be able to dream. It was great to see Curacao scoring their first-ever World Cup goal. Cape Verde going through and pushing Argentina all the way is what dreams are made of. I loved having extra football to watch.
I didn't want to see 8-0 or 7-0 scorelines, and apart from one hefty result, it was a good reflection on the progression within football. However, the later stages are the money end, and those teams probably don't have the strength and depth to deal with it, including South Africa . But it's a great step.
Brazil
How Vital Is Ancelotti to Brazil?
This will be seen as Carlo Ancelotti 's failure, but this is not a very strong Brazil squad. He also didn't pick certain players who could have made it stronger, like Joao Pedro . I saw a comparison between Endrick and Ronaldo R9 , but you can't really compare them.
In 2002, they had Ronaldo , Rivaldo , and Ronaldinho . They didn't even take Romario and had Kaka on the bench. They had all that talent, and now they are more workmanlike. They are going to have to rebuild. They're going to have to rebuild, and it will be good for them.
The Netherlands
Is Slot the Natural Successor for the Netherlands Job?
Arne Slot as Netherlands manager? International football is very different, so coaches have to think twice. You only have the players for 10 or 12 days every few months. It's difficult to get your philosophy across in that time. Looking at my time with England , bringing players together from Leicester , Liverpool , Everton , Manchester United , and Arsenal is a challenge. It might be easier in the Netherlands because everyone wants to play a similar way, but in England , we have different philosophies that need to be brought together as one.
England has its own DNA running through the youth setup, which is good because they all play the same way. England 's players have worked together for years. I never won a tournament with the England youth teams. A lot of the players in this group have won youth tournaments like the Euros . They know what it takes to go the distance, so that's probably why we have our best chance now.
Greatest of All Time
Would Back-to-Back World Cups Make Messi the GOAT?
For Lionel Messi , I think the goal is to get it done in 90 minutes, or even 70 minutes and then come off. He isn't at that same level in extra time, and that's normal. I played until I was 38, and he is 39.
I was playing in the Championship , while he is playing in the World Cup . It's a totally different level. He's a phenomenal player. To perform and score the way he is at his age confirms he is the GOAT .
Will Ronaldo Reach 1,000 Goals?
I don't see Portugal winning, I can't see them beating Spain . But Ronaldo is an incredible specimen to still be doing this at 41 at the highest level. He might not move the same way, but he's still performing. You can't take that away from him.
I wish I had scored 20 goals in a season, and he needs 20 to reach a thousand. It's an amazing feat. He's already said he wants to do it, and once he sets his mind to something, he usually achieves it. Good luck to him.
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