World Cup Qualifiers: Lionel Messi vs. Neymar Jr Set to Fall Apart After Argentina’s Appeal

Paris Saint Germain teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr are great friends off the pitch too. However, the same cannot be said for their nations as the footballing rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is huge, and has been there for several decades.

Therefore, fans expected an electric match when the two teams were facing each other for their World Cup Qualifier match in September. However, Brazilian health officials stopped the match just five minutes after it started due to a breach of COVID-19 related rules.

The teams were then supposed to play a replay of the tie, but the Argentine Football Association (AFA) appealed FIFA’s decision.

Lionel Messi vs. Neymar Jr? Not so soon

An advisor to the AFA, Andres Ulrich spoke about the situation in an interview and revealed that they think they are in the right. The AFA believes that Argentina did not break any rules, and hence a rematch doesn’t make sense.

“We believe the decision to be unfair and we believe that Argentina did not cause the game to be cancelled. We think we are in the right and we believe we have to take it to the Court,” Ulrich said.

The Brazilian health officials accused four Argentinian players of misleading officials, and FIFA suspended the players for two matches. Ulrich also added that the AFA thinks that FIFA’s decision is hasty.

“It’s hasty because it does not answer the first appeal and that is confirmed there is another instance, that is the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the AFA will appeal,” he added.

Paris Saint Germain win the league again

Neymar and Messi won’t be too concerned with this situation as both Brazil and Argentina have qualified for the World Cup already. Moreover, they just won the Ligue 1 title this week with PSG. While it wasn’t the best possible season for the two, they have still managed to show their brilliance in parts.

It’ll be interesting to see if Messi and Neymar can do better next season and win the Champions League. Till then, their fans have the World Cup Qualifier to look forward to.

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