Lionel Messi and Neymar out: When was the last Argentina-Brazil clash without both soccer legends?
The Argentina–Brazil rivalry is one of the most intense in soccer history, often referred to as the Superclasico de las Americas due to its significance and impact in the region. With both Lionel Messi and Neymar absent for the upcoming match, when was the last time neither of these legends featured in this historic fixture?
Neymar was the first to be ruled out of Brazil’s squad for the international break after failing to recover from a left thigh injury. Messi followed soon after, sidelined due to a left adductor injury sustained in Inter Miami’s match against Atlanta United. This marks the first time in a long while that both players will miss an Albiceleste-Seleção showdown.
The last time neither Messi nor Neymar played in an Argentina-Brazil match was on June 29, 2005, in the FIFA Confederations Cup final. Nearly two decades have passed since the two superstars were both absent from this iconic fixture—an undeniable testament to their dominance in the 21st century.
Both teams qualified for the now-extinct tournament—Brazil as the 2002 World Cup champions and Argentina as the 2004 Copa América runners-up. The two South American giants clashed in the final, where Brazil asserted its superiority with a resounding 4-1 victory.
Their next encounter came over a year later, on September 2, 2006, in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium. That time, Messi was present, wearing the No. 19 shirt as a starter for Argentina. However, Brazil triumphed once again, winning 3-0.
How many Argentina-Brazil clashes have Messi and Neymar missed?
Messi and Neymar have been the faces of Argentina and Brazil for nearly two decades, making their absences in this historic rivalry all the more noticeable. Since making his Argentina debut in August 2005, Messi has played 16 times against Brazil, recording eight wins, two draws, and six defeats. However, he has missed six encounters—five friendlies, where Argentina won one, drew one, and lost three, and one World Cup qualifier, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Neymar, who debuted for Brazil in August 2010, has featured in 11 matches against Argentina, first appearing in a friendly on November 17, 2010, at just 18 years old. The Brazilian boasts a solid record of five wins, two draws, and four defeats in these clashes.
However, Brazil has struggled in Neymar’s absence. The Seleção has played five Argentina-Brazil matches without him, managing only one win, two draws, and two losses. It remains to be seen whether their struggles will continue in the highly anticipated showdown on March 25.