(Buenos Aires) Lionel Messi will play for Argentina against Brazil who will be deprived of Neymar on Tuesday in a World Cup qualifying match. Neymar is annoyed by pain in his left thigh.
Messi, who suffers from a knee injury, will play in San Juan in a game that could qualify the team for next year’s World Cup, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has said.
Hours later, the Brazilian Football Confederation said in a statement that Neymar “said he was fearful” about the possible injury.
“Because there is not enough time to carry out more examinations, the coaching team has decided to spare the player, who will not travel with the team,” the statement said.
Neymar’s friend and rival Messi played just 15 minutes in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Uruguay on Friday. He also missed two Paris Saint-Germain games because of this injury.
“A few days ago he was in good physical shape and at the end of the day we decided it would be best for him to play for a few minutes,” said Scaloni. For tomorrow (Tuesday) it is confirmed that he will play. We hope it ends up in the right place. ”
The Argentines, second in the South American standings with 10 teams behind Brazil, can qualify with a victory. Brazil have already secured one of the region’s four automatic qualifying places.
Brazil has not won in Argentina since 2009.
Scaloni’s main doubt for the game is in midfield. Leonardo Paredes is recovering from an injury and could again be replaced by Guido Rodríguez.
For the Brazil team, he will miss the suspended Casemiro who could be replaced by Fabinho. Brazilian coach Tite also hopes to test other players, possibly using Matheus Cunha in place of Gabriel Jesus.