Rodrygo admits Brazil will need to be “very careful” when dealing with the obvious threat that Lionel Messi poses to them in World Cup qualification.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Selecao searching for a sparkAlbiceleste reacting to rare defeatSuperstars on show in RioWHAT HAPPENED?
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.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
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.”
WHAT THEY SAID
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.”
GettyWHAT NEXT?
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.