If it was naturally tense, the duel between Brazil and Argentina, on Tuesday (25), for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, has gained extra elements to be even more turbulent, especially for the team led by Dorival Júnior, who plays away from home.
On the eve of the game at the Monumental Stadium, Casa do River Plate, in Buenos Aires, at 21h (Brasília), striker Raphinha spoke of “beating them” and promised to score a goal in the classic.
The statement was made during an interview with former player Romário, who suggested the Barcelona player in his question.
“Play against Argentina, our greatest rival, and now, thank God, without Messi. Fucking them?” Asked Romário, citing the absence of Argentine shirt 10, embezzled by injury.
“Fucking in them. No doubt. Fucking in them! In the field and off the field if it has to be!” Said Raphinha.
“I liked it, that’s it. In the Argentines you have to hit, because they are F …”, added the today Senator of the Republic (PL).
The statement of the current shirt 11, which promised to leave its mark on the scoreboard, quickly reverberated among the Argentines. On its X page, the newspaper Olé wrote “Cuti, OTA … they already know what to do,” suggesting a message to defenders Cristian Romero and Otamendi, with a picture of them scoring Raphinha in the national team.
The Instagram page of ESPN Argentina’s Sporrscent program reproduced the Brazilian’s speech and, in the comments, striker Di María responded with a laugh emoji.
Only Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni tried to minimize the controversy, citing the friendship of Messi and Neymar as a portrait of what, in his view, football represents. “This is the image we have to have.”
The two stars, however, will not meet this Tuesday. At least, not on the field. Like the celestial team 10, Neymar also recovers from an injury. He was even summoned to the duels against Colombia and Argentina, but was cut.
It will be the first time since 2005 that neither will be on the field in the largest classic in the Americas. In the last 20 years, there have been 20 confrontation between the two teams, five with the two on the field and 15 with at least one present.
The last duel without any of the two stars was the historic Brazilian victory 4-1, in the final of the Confederations Cup, with great performances from the then called “Quadrado Magic”, formed by Kaka, Adriano, Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Robinho.
This time, Brazil does not yet have a team that can be called “magic”. Far from it, by the way. In the dispute of the qualifiers, he has had individual flashes to win his points, as it was in the last round, winning Colombia with a goal by Vinicius Junior in the additions.
Faced with the Argentines, Dorival will still be forced to make six changes in relation to the last confrontation, between casualties by injury, suspension and technical option.
They leave the Alisson and Gerson team, cut, Gabriel Magalhães and Bruno Guimarães, suspended, as well as Vanderson and João Pedro, barred by Dorival. In their place, André, Murillo, Joelinton, Wesley and Matheus Cunha enter.
Even with Brazil disfigured, players say they believe it is possible to end the uncomfortable fasting of 16 years without beating Argentina at the rival’s house. The last victory there took place in 2009, under the command of Dunga, also for the qualifiers, 3-1.
“Our time has arrived to win, it’s been a while since we have not won,” promised defender Marquinhos.
Argentina x Brazil – Qualifiers
When: Tuesday (25), at 21h (from Brasilia)
Where: Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arbitrator: Andre Rojas
On TV: Globo and SporTV
Brazil
Bento, Wesley, Marquinhos, Murillo and Guilherme Arana; André, Joelinton and Raphinha; Vini, Rodrygo and Matheus Cunha.
Argentina
Martínez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi and Tagliafico; Walls, Mac Allister, Paul and Enzo Fernández; Thiago Almada and Julián Álvarez.
