Jeremy Corbyn has said he doubts England will win this summer’s football World Cup.
The Labour leader instead backed Brazil or Germany to take home the trophy from the tournament in Russia.
In an interview with the COPA90 YouTube channel, posted on the Guardian website, Mr Corbyn said: “I would love to say England but I doubt it. Brazil or Germany.”
Mr Corbyn supports Arsenal, who play in his Islington North constituency (John Stillwell/PA)
The Opposition leader also declared himself pleased with his team Arsenal’s January transfer business, which included the sale of star forward Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United and the signing of pacy striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.
“I was happy that Arsenal got, eventually, what we wanted and that the endless debate about Alexis Sanchez was over and he finally moved,” he said.
“I was really pleased when Alexis came and I thought him and Ozil linking up together – and then eventually with Lacazette – could have been a brilliant combination, but clearly Alexis wanted to go.
“I am also very pleased that Ozil has signed a longer-term contract, so I think we are in a much better place.”
Mr Corbyn said he thinks goalkeepers have the most difficult job on the football pitch, as he described former Arsenal stopper Jens Lehmann as a “very interesting guy”.
“Being a goalkeeper is the hardest thing because you have to concentrate for the whole of the match and hopefully most of the time you haven’t got much to do – you start thinking about socialism, the weather,” he said.