Former FIFA Media, TV, and Marketing Director Monico Puentevella, a former Bacolod City mayor and congressman, made his picks for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which begins today, June 14, at various venues across Russia, selecting defending champions Germany and 2010 champions Spain.

The former mayor, who is in Moscow with Philippine Football Federation President Mariano Araneta, also offered his observations on perennial favorite Argentina.

“Age is catching up with Lionel Messi,” he noted.

Messi, FC Barcelona’s star player, is coming off a 2017/2018 football season where he won two trophies, the La Liga title and Copa del Rey; along with individual goal-scoring recognition, the Pichichi trophy and the European Golden Shoe.

Argentina finished runner-up in the last World Cup.

Puentevella also discussed why football is a fitting sport for Filipinos.

“Messi is merely 5’6” in height, this game is also for Filipinos,” the former FIFA official said. “He is the world’s best and he is just the size of Pinoys, too.”/JSG, WDJ