Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 10y

Marcelo: Spain still best in the world

Marcelo says home support will be a plus for Brazil in the upcoming World Cup finals but that holders Spain remain the best side in the competition.

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Brazil beat Spain 3-0 in last June's Confederations Cup final at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, and that result has helped install Luiz Felipe Scolari's side as bookmakers' favourites this summer.

Real Madrid star Marcelo said in AS that the whole of Brazil would be behind their team during the tournament, but he did not expect any level of vocal support to intimidate 2010 winners Spain.

"You can see now that the whole country is caught up in the World Cup, and to be involved is something priceless," Marcelo said. "The Maracana will give us an extra push, but it will not intimidate the Spanish team, which is still the best in the world."

Spain's all-conquering side has continued to evolve through recent years, with emerging Madrid defender Dani Carvajal named in place of his club colleague Alvaro Arbeloa in the preliminary 30-man squad announced this week.

Carvajal, 22, has become first choice right-back at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in recent months, but his inclusion was still a minor surprise considering the 32-year-old Arbeloa's greater experience, having gained over 56 national caps and participated in both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 successes.

Carvajal told reporters at a commercial event that, while he was happy to have been called up, his focus for now is the Champions League final against city rivals Atletico Madrid on May 24.

"Now I'm trying to make the most of the moment," he said in quotes reported on Madrid's official website. "I'm delighted to be part of the provisional list for the World Cup and will do everything I can to make it into the final list, but the most important thing right now is the Champions League final."

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