Roberto Carlos makes World Cup prediction and sends message to Brazil critics

Brazil legends Roberto Carlos and Gilberto Silva are confident the current squad can win this year's World Cup - but accept there is huge pressure on Tite's side.

Brazil are the bookies' favourites to win the tournament thanks to their glittering squad. The likes of Alisson, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarares, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus, Antony, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli and Neymar will represent the Selecao in Qatar.

The five-time world champions are also in superb form. They've lost just three of their last 50 games and Argentina are the only country to beat them in a competitive match since their defeat to Belgium at the last World Cup in Russia four years ago.

Gilberto, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup, believes the current squad have a great chance of winning in Qatar but is urging them to not get carried away. "I think now the team goes to the World Cup as one of the favourites," Gilberto tells Mirror Football.

"We were not the favourites that time [2002]... with the experience of players like Roberto, Cafu, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and some other guys - and [manager Luiz Felipe] Scolari, the leadership of him - we managed to get it [the trophy] by working hard and [being] happy and understanding our responsibility for the games."

Gilberto adds, "[If you] compare this team now and four years ago in Russia, I think the manager has more options in every position... maybe less in the full-backs, especially on the right, but I think Tite will sort this situation. I see the middle, the guys up front - he has a lot of options. If you take one out and the replacement - the guy on the bench - will do a great job.

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"When we went to the World Cup, we were not the favourites. Now many people say Brazil are the favourites. This is the difference."

Carlos, meanwhile, hopes Tite's side will be able to handle the pressure bestowed on them as favourites. The Real Madrid legend was part of the side that lost the 1998 final in France before bouncing to back win in South Korea and Japan four years later.

"All the teams are strong and whoever is the most psychologically prepared is going to win this tournament," Carlos tells Mirror Football.

"The biggest pressure, in my opinion, is on the Brazilian national team - 20 years without winning it. The last photo at the Brazilian national headquarters is ours! But it is a good moment [right now] for the Brazilian team to come back and win and give happiness to the Brazilian people.

"November - all of the players will be in the best physical condition possible. Let's see [if Brazil can do it]!"

Carlos is also keen to highlight the harsh spotlight of the Brazilian press. He asks, "Do you think Brazil are the favourites? [all of the journalists in the room nod]. Try to take this, how much Brazil are favourites, and pass it to the Brazilian press.

"A lot of time as a player, to put on the shirt, you really feel the weight of what it is to put on that shirt - and the pride of having to wear that shirt. And the Brazilian press don't often believe in the Brazilian national team.

"I try to pass the message from you guys of what is the Brazilian national team to the Brazilian press, so they really know what it is. Not that you know more about football than the Brazilians! [laughs] But you love football and it's important.

"Brazil [to be] champions!"

Roberto Carlos and Gilberto Silva were speaking at the premiere of 'Brazil 2002: The Real Story' a documentary produced by Entourage Sport & Entertainment and Collective Media, available now on Sky Documentaries

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