Lionel Messi nonetheless faces a couple of challenges in soccer, and considered one of them will come inside attain on Tuesday as Argentina travels to Brazil for a vital South American World Cup qualifying match.
The 36-year-old Messi has scored 31 objectives for Argentina in World Cup qualifying encounters, however none of these got here towards Brazil, residence or away.
He has 5 objectives towards the archrival, all in pleasant matches.
Brazil’s soccer confederation stated all 69,000 tickets for the conflict on the Maracana Stadium are bought. Each groups will play after defeats within the earlier spherical; the locals misplaced 2-1 to Colombia and the World Cup champion was defeated 2-0 at residence by Uruguay.
Many Brazilian followers are eager to observe Messi in a match that might be his final in Rio de Janeiro, enjoying for Argentina. In the identical area, the star misplaced the 2014 World Cup remaining to Germany and beat the host within the decider of the 2021 Copa America.
Argentina leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 factors from 5 matches. Uruguay is second with 10 factors. Colombia has 9 and Venezuela eight. Brazil will host the World Cup champions in fifth place with seven factors.
Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile have 5 factors every. Bolivia has three and Peru has one.
The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada will embody 48 groups, which means direct entry for the highest six groups from South America. The seventh-place staff can earn a berth in an Intercontinental playoff.
Albiceleste vs. Samba
Optimism is in brief provide in Brazil, which misplaced its two newest matches and is struggling below new coach Fernando Diniz. A defeat to Argentina might be the staff’s first-ever in a house match of World Cup qualifying, and the hosts may have a number of absences for that encounter.
Carlos Augusto is prone to begin as a left-back for the primary time, Jesus will tackle the injured Vinicius Junior up entrance and teenage sensation Endrick will probably play within the second half.
The 17-year-old Endrick, who will be part of Actual Madrid subsequent 12 months, spoke in a press convention about his expectations of enjoying towards Messi for the primary time.
“For me, Pele is the king, and nobody will get close to him. Messi is phenomenal, the most effective on the planet once more, and I need to get pleasure from enjoying towards him, a person I solely noticed within the videogames,” the striker stated. “I’m extra of a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, however it will likely be great to see Messi up shut.”
Argentina will arrive in Brazil late on Monday and have its remaining coaching session for the conflict in Buenos Aires. Coach Lionel Scaloni didn’t communicate after Sunday’s coaching and had many of the observe behind closed doorways, however gave hints of the place his doubts are.
Angel di Maria, Nicolas Gonzalez and Leandro Paredes are in rivalry for a spot within the midfield. Lautaro Martínez, who didn’t rating for the nationwide staff in his earlier 14 matches, may change Julian Álvarez up entrance.
Additionally, on Tuesday, Paraguay will host Colombia, Uruguay will tackle Bolivia, Ecuador will welcome Chile and Peru will play host towards Venezuela. The seventh and eighth rounds of South American qualifying will happen in September after the following version of Copa America within the U.S.