French World Cup winner David Trezeguet has backed Ghana’s Black Stars to perform to their full potential at this year’s tournament in Qatar.
Trezeguet believes Ghana can advance from a group that includes former European champions Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay, who have been crowned world champions twice.
The 44-year-old said the Black Stars, who came close to reaching the semi-finals for the first time in 2010, can make the final this time.
Trezeguet, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, is in Ghana for a two-day tour with the trophy and spoke exclusively to 3 Sports about the Black Stars’ chances in Qatar.
When asked if the World Cup final could feature current holders France and Ghana, the former Juventus man responded, “Why not? It’s possible [Ghana v France in the final]. The Ghanaian team and Ghanaian fans have the ambition of winning the World Cup. When I look at the Ghanaian group, it’s possible that they can qualify [to the next stage]. It is an opportunity for the players and the country to show their quality.”
“I see that in Ghana there is a possibility [of reaching the final]. I know that this country has quality players. We see the capabilities of these crop of players. The Black Stars have already made the world cup three times. Definitely the final is a bit complicated.”
Ghana will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24, then face South Korea before concluding their group stage campaign against Uruguay in a rematch of the 2010 quarter-final meeting, which the South Americans won after Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty in extra-time.
Trezeguet was only 20 when he helped France win the World Cup on home soil, following a famous 3-0 win over Brazil in the final. He described winning the trophy as a dream come true.
He said, “For me the world cup is a dream. When one becomes a footballer, you wish to win that in your career. When I won the world cup, I was 20 years, I was very young and it was a huge thing for me.”
In 2006, however, Trezeguet missed his penalty as France lost to Italy in the final.