‘Be very careful’ – How Brazil intend to deal with Lionel Messi threat in crunch 2026 World Cup qualifying clash with Argentina at the Maracana

The Selecao are due to play host to old adversaries Argentina at the Marcana on Tuesday. Brazil have been scratching around for form en route to the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026, while Argentina suffered a surprise defeat to Uruguay last time out.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi will want to make amends for that setback in what will be his last competitive outing of 2023, with Real Madrid forward Rodrygo saying of how Brazil will tackle the challenge of containing the all-time great: “I think they are going to respect us, just as we are going to respect them. There is no way to deny it. He [Messi] is one of the best players in the history of football and we will have to be very careful with him.”

While Brazil’s defence will be kept busy by Messi, Rodrygo needs to help provide attacking inspiration as all-time leading scorer Neymar and Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior are ruled out through injury. Rodrygo added on that challenge: “I think they are going to expect more from me. We are sad for Vini, my national team and club team-mate.”

Neymar is working his way back from an ACL injury, with several months on the sidelines mapped out in front of him, while Vinicius is nursing a thigh complaint that could keep him out of action for up to 10 weeks.