Uruguay defender Diego Godin believes Italy, not England, will provide the biggest threat when the teams meet in Group D of the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
Godin, who plays his club football at Atletico Madrid, thinks the four times World Champions Italy will be his country’s toughest opponents in the group stages.
“It’s the national team with the longest history and the most titles and they’re doing things better now,” said Godin, speaking at the launch of Uruguay’s new Puma kit. “They’re also a serious contender for the title as well, so we respect them a lot – we respect all teams a lot, but looking at the group I think Italy is the strongest."
But Godin is under no illusions when it comes to the strength of Roy Hodgson’s England side, nor Costa Rica, who will also compete in Group D.
“England has a great team,” he said. “Costa Rica, who we’ve already faced, has also grown significantly over the past four years.”
2011 Copa America champions Uruguay will face Italy in the final group game, a clash which could decide whether Godin and co. progress to the knockout stages.
Diego Godin will wear the new Uruguay World Cup kit by PUMA, available from Kitbag.com from Wednesday March 5th. For more information on PUMA's national kit sponsorships and evoPOWER and evoSPEED boot ranges head to http://puma.com/football
