RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Argentina must guard against complacency at this year's FIFA World Cup despite entering the tournament as favorite, former forward Javier Saviola said on Monday.
The Albiceleste will be aiming for its fourth consecutive major tournament victory, having won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the past two Copa America titles.
"I think that after becoming world champion, yes, Argentina arrives as favorite," Saviola told reporters during an event in Rio de Janeiro.
"But I also think you have to go about things with humility and keep your feet on the ground because we know that World Cups are serious business. We know there are tremendously competitive teams that will do everything possible to win," he said.
Saviola, who represented Argentina at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and earned 39 caps for his country, said Lionel Scaloni's team would benefit from having an established squad that is used to playing together.
"For the most part, the players who were a part of the last World Cup will be there again this time," the former Barcelona and Real Madrid player said.
"There is a lot of excitement and a lot of expectation that Argentina can once again be the best national team in the world. They have the squad and the coaching staff to achieve it."
The World Cup will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Three-time World Cup champion Argentina has been drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. ■
