JAKARTA - Argentina on Monday again called up star player Lionel Messi to take on Neymar's Brazil in next month's World Cup qualifiers.
The crucial match for the CONMEBOL zone on September 5 will mark the first time the two world football icons who are both under the PSG team face each other. This comes less than two months after Messi inspired Argentina to a 1-0 win over Brazil in the Copa America final.
The much-anticipated encounter is sandwiched between two other World Cup qualifiers, with Argentina playing Venezuela on September 2 and Bolivia a week later.
Currently, Brazil leads the CONMEBOL qualifying group with a perfect 18 points from six matches, while Argentina is second with 12 points and is also unbeaten.
Messi won his first international trophy in July as he helped Argentina end a 27-year wait for a major trophy after beating Brazil at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana stadium.
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The two countries' star players have not played together this season as PSG are still giving the two a long break after their energy drained in the Copa.
After more than two decades playing at Barcelona, Messi is expected to make his PSG debut this weekend when they travel to Reims.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni came as no surprise in announcing his squad with Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and Paulo Dybala of Juventus among the strong attacking options. Meanwhile, Barca's new signing Sergio Aguero will be sidelined due to injury.
Two other PSG players, Angel Di Maria, who scored the winner in the Copa America final, and Leandro Paredes were also included in Argentina's line-up.
#SelecciónMayor Lista de convocados 📝 por @lioscaloni para los próximos tres encuentros de @Argentina 🇦🇷 en las #EliminatoriasQatar2022. pic.twitter.com/XXoyrW5KlV
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) August 23, 2021
Meanwhile, PSG defender Marquinhos will join Neymar in the Brazil squad.
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