It is a reunion that almost did not take place. Just a few inches away, Venezuelan defender Adrian Martinez could indeed have broken Lionel Messi’s left shin with his insane tackle in the first qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup on Thursday. Finally Messi got up and resumed the game but, as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni pointed out this Saturday, it was a moment of “fear”. “But luckily Leo is doing well,” he said, even though he was waiting until the last practice to be sure of his playing master’s physical condition.
If all goes well, Messi will be able to take part in the second of Argentina’s three games in these qualifiers at the 2022 World Cup, and find his friend Neymar. It is indeed in Sao Paulo that the two players of PSG have an appointment this Sunday, at 9 p.m. (French time, live on BeIN Sports 1).
A final tune
The poster pits the two best teams in this group from South America against each other. Brazil leads with 21 points, Argentina second with 15 points. But the Argentines remain on 21 games without defeat, with in particular a success in the final of the Copa America, snatched against the “Seleçao” in his temple of Maracana on July 10 (1-0), thanks to a goal from Angel Di Maria.
The latter also took advantage of an interview with the TyC Sports channel to confide that since then, with Paredes in particular, he kept teasing Neymar and driving him crazy by reminding him of the result of the match …
Winners of their seven qualifying matches so far, a record, the Brazilians are above all anxious to line up a competitive eleven against their eternal rivals. Tite has indeed seen his initial list cut to nine Premier League players, including executives like goalkeeper Alisson (Liverpool) or central defender Thiago Silva (Chelsea) have been banned by their clubs from playing these international matches to avoid a quarantine. on the way back.
But it is of course the first clash between Messi and Neymar since they became teammates in the club that will centralize the eyes. Neymar played for four years alongside the “Pulga” at FC Barcelona before joining Paris in 2017.
Neymar (almost at the top), Marquinhos suspended
We will examine in particular the physical condition of the Brazilian who, after his first tenure in Reims, then against Chile, has not yet really reassured observers. Returning from vacation with several extra pounds, he still needs to improve even if he responded to criticism with humor following the match against Chile by indicating on Instagram: “The jersey was L. already at my normal weight. At the next match, I ask for an M jersey, ”joked the person on Instagram.
For his probable 113th selection, Neymar still has two records in focus. He is missing nine goals to equal Pelé and his 77 goals.
For having received a yellow card against Chile, Marquinhos will be suspended. On the Argentine side, Di Maria is operational and Paredes is back from suspension.
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