Lionel Messi is the greatest football player ever to grace the earth. This statement is arguable based on the failure of Messi to win a single senior international title with his beloved Argentina.
In a matter of hours, the validity of this argument can be destroyed completely when Messi leads out La Albiceleste for a date with destiny in the 2021 Copa America final against their eternal rivals, Brazil, at the Maracana Stadium.
On the opposing team, Messi’s friend and a part of the trident that dominated Europe in 2015, Neymar, will be looking to finally banish the idea of him being a pretender to the throne of Pele by finally winning a title with the Selecao.
BRAZIL
The host nation, defending champions and favourites for glory in the championship, Brazil, will come into the game on the back of a 13 game unbeaten run.
Their last defeat? 1-0 to Argentina in November 2019 at the King Saud University Stadium in Saudi Arabia in a hot-tempered match settled by a 13th minute Lionel Messi strike.
The Selecao went on a run of 10 straight wins from that match which was ended by their Matchday Five 1-1 draw against Ecuador in this year’s Copa America.
Much will be said about Neymar in this final as the forward has shown his capability to produce magic for the Selecao but has failed to win a single international trophy with the side.
Seen as the heir apparent to the crown of Pele from his teenage years, Neymar has closed in on the King’s Selecao scoring record, but while Pele led his nation to three World Cup titles, Neymar has failed to deliver a single international title.
Brazil are yet to lose a single game at home since losing two consecutively in the 2014 World Cup; the first, a scandalous 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semifinal, and the second, a 3-0 hammering by the Netherlands in the third-place match only days later.
The Selecao will miss Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus in the final after his red card for a high kick against Chile in the quarterfinals meant that he was banned for the rest of the tournament.
ARGENTINA
Lionel Scaloni has brought a stability that has been missing for years from the Argentine national team with his reliance on the leadership of Messi and utilisation of younger talents to help the team compete.
The Albiceleste have not lost a single match since 2019 against Brazil in the semifinal of the 2019 Copa America, a run of 18 matches.
Argentina was supposed to host the Copa America this year, but the country’s COVID situation forced CONMEBOL to hand the hosting rights to Brazil.
Messi has scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists in this year’s tournament, putting a disappointing season with his club side behind him, and playing some of his best football for the side.
After the disappointment of losing three consecutive major finals in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Argentine squad are ready to give their sweat and blood to see their idol and icon Messi finally get his hands on an international title, with this fact validated by statements from members of the squad, including goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Sergio Aguero.
Argentina held off a talented Colombian side, winning on penalties to progress to this stage of the tournament.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Both sides have a long history with each other; both of them are on long unbeaten runs, and their last defeats came at the hands of the other in 2019. They have faced each other in 108 occasions, with Argentina winning 39 times and Brazil winning 43 times, 26 matches have ended in draws between the sides.
KEY MEN
In its ranks, Brazil has two of the best goalkeepers in the world in Ederson and Alisson, and the steel of captain Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, both of whom have a great understanding thanks to their years playing together for PSG, at the heart of their defence.
Just in front of these two, coach Tite has the luxury of choosing from one or both of Fabinho and Casemiro to screen his defence from opposition forwards. In attack, they have the stardust of Neymar with rising stars such as Lucas Paqueta and Richarlison, all of whom can harm any defence.
On the other side, Messi will always lead the Argentine side. Joined by the new school brilliance of the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Giovanni Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul and Alejandro Gomez.
They also have the experience of Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi in their side.
PUNTERS CORNER
Brazil are favourites for this one, with their 2.20 odds of winning much lower than the 3.75 odds given to Argentina. The odds of the game ending in a draw is 3.10.
Argentina will be looking to finally win an international title with Lionel Messi in the side. Brazil will be looking to finally win an international title with Neymar in the side.
Both sides have shown their greatness in recent years, and for those interested in betting on football, this match is sure to be an interesting one due to its importance to both sets of players.