Brazilian star Dani Alves has told skysports.com that England will challenge for the World Cup next summer.
Brazilian star tips Three Lions for success
Brazilian star Dani Alves has told
skysports.com that England will challenge for the World Cup next summer.
Alves is preparing with the rest of the Brazilian squad in Doha, Qatar - ahead of their friendly with the English on Saturday.
The Barcelona star admits he is relishing facing Fabio Capello's side.
"A match against England is never a friendly because of the stature of the two countries," Alves told
skysports.com.
"These matches are always something a footballer desires.
"The prestige is in this game and many millions of supporters in the world will be prepared for the friendly in Doha.
"It is necessary to offer the best performance and to try for victory against England."
He admits that he thinks England will be amongst the challengers for the World Cup come South Africa.
"For me today England is one of the big candidates to win the World Cup 2010," he said.
"I include in this group Spain, Brazil and Argentina. I do not believe there will be too many surprises in South Africa.
"With Fabio Capello they have obtained a better defensive line and have increased the force in the attack."
Alves also stated that he thinks David Beckham has a major part to play for England - even if he will not be on duty in Doha as he is playing in the MLS play-offs.
"Beckham is a star and nobody can doubt about his quality," he continued.
A number of players will be missing from the match, but Alves insists this does not affect the quality.
"Both squads suffer absences but this does not damage the match," he said.
"Today this is one of the best possible football matches in the world."
The attacking full-back is happy with how the Brazil squad is shaping up.
"Brazil is playing at a big level. Now we are a generation with experience and youngsters and we function perfectly," Alves stated.
"For the World Cup the squad it will be more pressure and this event arrives in the best moment for us.
"I am very happy to be in this squad and to help win titles.
"The coach Dunga is looking at some new players for the future and it's normal he tests them in a friendly but I warn anyone that a player who puts on a yellow shirt increases his work load by 200 per cent.
"Brazilian players dreams to play in the national squad."
