Buenos Aires: German World Cup legend Franz Beckenbauer predicted on Wednesday night that South American giants Brazil and Argentina will be the two sides to beat in Germany 2006.
But, hedging his bets a little, the president of the World Cup organising committee also picked out France, Italy, England, Germany and Holland as teams that could take the top prize in July.
"I think Brazil have a very good squad like Argentina and their chances are similar," he said during a press conference in the Argentine capital.
The Kaiser said Argentina would still be smarting from their Copa Libertadores final defeat to Brazil in 2004 but added: "I think Brazil and Argentina are the two best teams in the world at the moment and when they play each other, either one can win."
Only once in the history of the World Cup, in Sweden in 1958 when Brazil won, has a South American side triumphed in Europe, but no European team has ever won outside of their continent.
Beckenbauer tipped Brazil star Ronaldinho to shine in Germany and said he expected the samba forward's Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi to also make an impact while citing German pair Michael Ballack and Oliver Khan as his country's key players.
Beckenbauer also confirmed that Argentine legend Diego Maradona would be invited by organisers to attend the showpiece event.
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