Messi to play against Brazil, confirms Argentina coach Scaloni

The
rival
nations
meet
for
the
first
time
since
this
year’s
Copa
America
final,
which
Argentina
won
1-0,
when
they
face
off
in
San
Juan
on
Tuesday
(November
16).

Both
teams
have
identical
records
since
that
final,
each
winning
five
of
their
six
qualifiers.
A
clash
between
the
pair
in
Sao
Paulo
in
September
was
suspended
due
to
coronavirus
restrictions
relating
to
Argentina’s
England-based
players.

Already-qualified
Brazil
sit
top
of
the
CONMEBOL
standings
on
34
points,
six
clear
of
Scaloni’s
team,
who
defeated
Uruguay
on
Friday.

Given
the
12-point
gap
between
Argentina
and
fifth-placed
Colombia,
who
occupy
the
play-off
spot,
a
win
would
all
but
guarantee
their
place
in
Qatar
next
year.
Dropped
points
for
two
of
Chile,
versus
Ecuador,
Colombia,
against
Paraguay,
and
Uruguay,
in
Bolivia,
would
make
the
picture
clearer
still.

Messi,
whose
selection
in
Argentina’s
squad
“did
not
make
sense”
–
according
to
Paris
Saint-Germain
sporting
director
Leonardo
–
due
to
the
34-year-old’s
recent
injury
issues,
came
on
as
a
76th-minute
substitute
in
the
win
over
Uruguay.

Scaloni
explained
he
had
used
Messi
sparingly
in
order
to
keep
him
in
top
condition
for
Tuesday’s
clash
with
Brazil,
and
the
coach
confirmed
in
his
pre-match
news
conference
the
former
Barcelona
superstar
would
certainly
play,
albeit
he
did
not
reveal
if
he
would
start.

“It
is
confirmed
that
Messi
will
play
tomorrow,”
Scaloni
told
reporters
on
Monday.

On
the
challenge
his
team
face,
Scaloni
said:
“This
Brazilian
team
is
one
of
the
most
direct
in
recent
times.

“They
have
already
qualified
for
the
World
Cup,
and
we
know
how
difficult
this
game
is
going
to
be.

“You
have
to
always
play
the
same,
it
is
not
worth
it
for
me
that
a
player
of
mine
plays
in
one
way
against
Venezuela
and
another
against
Brazil.
Football
is
always
the
same
regardless
of
the
rival.

“I
don’t
think
the
rest
of
the
rivals
in
the
qualifiers
are
less
than
Brazil.
They
are
all
very
difficult
games.

“There
are
always
things
to
correct.
Our
goal
is
that
the
players
do
not
relax,
that
they
know
that
there
are
things
to
improve.”

While
Messi
will
play,
Argentina
may
be
without
Paulo
Dybala,
who
was
taken
off
at
half-time
against
Uruguay.

“Paulo
came
with
a
blow
and
at
half-time
of
the
game
we
decided
to
take
him
out,
it
was
not
worth
risking
it.
Now
we
are
waiting
to
see
what
[injury]
he
has,”
Scaloni
added.