Lionel Messi and Neymar return to national duty this week to launch World Cup qualifying campaigns that the South American superstars hope will lead to glory in Qatar in 2022.
If Messi leads Argentina to its third world title — and first since 1986 — it would finally win him a place in the hearts of Diego Maradona’s faithful.
At odds with Barcelona, the 33-year-old Messi will be the key for his team, beginning when they host Ecuador on Thursday.
Though younger than Messi, Neymar could also be approaching his final opportunities to lead Brazil to a sixth World Cup.
Neymar will be 30 when Qatar hosts the tournament in November and December of 2022. Neymar, celebrated at Paris Saint-Germain after a Champions League runner-up campaign but still criticised by local fans, has a chance to start regaining their love when they host Bolivia on Friday. Brazil last won a World Cup in 2002.
“We need to play every match as if this was already the World Cup,” Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães said.
Games will be played between Thursday and Tuesday in empty stadia due to coronavirus restrictions. The South American soccer confederation convinced most local authorities to lift quarantine measures for incoming players.
Ten teams are battling for four direct berths. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia, in that order, start as favourites for those spots.
The fifth-best team can earn qualification through an inter-continental playoff, with Peru and Chile as strong contenders. The qualifying phase ends in March 2022.
Messi will have more liberty under Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni than he has had at Barcelona with new coach Ronald Koeman.
He was not expected to play due to a red card during the 2019 Copa America, but the punishment was erased because it was supposed to be carried out within one year.
Lautaro Martínez, who is in great form at Inter Milan, and Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampo will play supporting roles to Messi. Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero is injured.
Messi has not played for Argentina since November. 18, in a 2-2 draw with Uruguay.
