Sao Paulo (AFP)
Reunited with PSG, Neymar and Lionel Messi will find themselves as opponents on Sunday in Sao Paulo for Brazil-Argentina, as part of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Second in the standings with 15 points (six lengths behind their opponents of the day), the Argentines, who are in 21 games without defeat, remain on their own after their triumph in the Copa America final snatched from the "Seleçao" in his temple of the Maracana on July 10.
Forward Lionel Messi kisses the Copa América trophy after Argentina's 1-0 victory in the final against Brazil on July 10, 2021 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro CARL DE SOUZA AFP / Archives
Coach Lionel Scaloni can count on Messi whose left leg resisted the very violent tackle from Venezuelan defender Adrian Martinez, who for a time feared the worst, during the success (3-1) of the Albiceleste Thursday in Caracas.
Argentine striker Lionel Messi, down after a violent tackle from a Venezuelan player, during South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 2, 2021 in Caracas Miguel Gutierrez POOL / AFP
Winners of their seven qualifying matches so far, a record, the Brazilians are especially keen to line up a competitive eleven against their eternal rivals.
Tite has indeed seen his initial list cut by nine Premier League players, including executives like goalkeeper Alisson (Liverpool) or central defender Thiago Silva (Chelsea), banned by their clubs from playing these international matches to avoid a quarantine in the return.
The meeting marks the first clash between two of the most famous - and highest paid - men on the planet since they became club teammates again.
- The whims of "Ney" -
Neymar played for four years alongside "la Pulga" at FC Barcelona.
Together with Uruguayan Luis Suarez, they formed the most feared attacking trident in world football for three seasons.
The psychodrama of the Brazilian's departure for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017 did not affect their very friendly relations.
Messi had even put pressure on the management of the Catalan club to obtain the return of Neymar in the 2019 offseason but it was finally the six-fold Ballon d'Or who joined his friend in France.
Paris Saint-Germain forwards, Argentinian Lionel Messi and Brazilian Neymar, in training, August 19, 2021 at Camp des Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Laye Bertrand GUAY AFP / Archives
A shock for the Barcelona supporters who saw their icon go free after a 17-year love story punctuated in particular by ten Spanish championships and four C1.
Parisian leaders will scrutinize the match and the performance of the two stars.
For different reasons: to ensure that "Leo" is recovered from the Martinez attack and that "Ney", who will be 30 in February, very discreet against Chile on Thursday (1-0 victory), finds a acceptable physical condition.
The former Santos star, not spared from injuries in recent seasons, has made a habit of coming back from his summer vacation weighed down by several extra pounds, a conspicuous overweight during the meeting in Santiago de Chile.
Brazilian striker Neymar tries to outflank Chilean defenders Guillermo Maripan (l) and Mauricio Isla, during South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 2, 2021 in Santiago CLAUDIO REYES POOL / AFP
- Pelé's record -
"The jersey was L. I am already at my form weight. In the next game, I ask for an M jersey," joked the person on Instagram.
The native of Sao Paulo, who should know his 113th selection against Argentina, does he still have the necessary desire to consolidate his place in the history of the Brazilian national team?
He is missing nine goals to equal King Pelé's record (77).
And he may also be aiming for the number of selections under the auriverde jersey, which belongs to Cafu, holder of 142 capes.
Brazilian striker Neymar, after equalizing against Colombia, during their friendly match on September 6, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Michael Reaves GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP / Archives
At 34, Messi is already the most capped player and the top scorer of his selection.
Unhappy finalist of the World Cup in 2014 and the Copa America in 2007, 2015 and 2016, he finally won the continental title this summer, put an end to a 28-year famine for his family, and garnished his record with Argentina, which included only Olympic gold (2008).
© 2021 AFP