A stuttering Brazil side, who have failed to win any of their previous three games, welcome Argentina to the Maracaná for the first time since they became world champions. Although La Albiceleste have claimed all the possible bragging rights for the latest instalment of this famed fixture, we take a look at Lionel Messi’s record against Brazil, with the recent Ballon D’or winner having struggled in the past.
Brazil vs Argentina Head-to-Head Stats
With Argentina heading into Tuesday night’s fixture as reigning Copa America and World Cup champions, there is very little Brazil have in the way of oneupmanship.
They may take a slither of comfort in the fact Argentina’s 14-game winning streak since being crowned world champions last winter was cut short by Uruguay last month. However, that was just the second time Argentina have tasted defeat across their last 52 games.
Brazil meanwhile are in the midst of a puzzling limbo. Fernando Diniz has attempted to steady the ship after the disappointment of a World Cup campaign that carried with it so much promise as pre-tournament favourites.
Diniz was named interim coach back in July, with Seleção patiently waiting for Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid contract to run out in the summer of 2024. If all things go to plan, Diniz will resume his sole responsibility at Fluminese, and Ancelotti will take over the reins.
Argentina vs Brazil on Tuesday, We Will Be There 😂 Throwback to this regular CONMEBOL game 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/jpdiTVqkHc
— 7 (@NoodlesHairCR7) November 18, 2023
For now, Brazil must grapple with the reality of a transitional period. Since that World Cup exit to Croatia almost 12 months ago, they have failed to win five of their subsequent eight games.
It leaves them five points adrift of Argentina who top the CONMEBOL qualifying table, and have amassed just seven points from five games.
They have also failed to win any of the three head-to-heads between these two – a run stretching back to November 2019. However, Lionel Messi’s inclusion in this fixture has often served as an unlucky charm for Argentina – take a glance below to see what we mean.
Lionel Messi Record Against Brazil
In the unlikely case Argentina ever draw blank, it usually means Lionel Messi has failed to find the net. That was the case in their recent 2-0 defeat to Uruguay, which marked the first time Messi has failed to score since their World Cup group stage victory against Poland.
There are very few teams who Messi has consistently struggled against, but Brazil could potentially be classed as one of them by his lofty standards.
That it isn’t to say it’s an awful record; the other-worldly goalscoring stats we have come to expect are blinding.
Messi has faced Brazil 13 times throughout his career, winning six, drawing two and losing six times. However, he has never – yes that’s right – never scored against them in a competitive match.
Five goals across friendly fixtures, including three in the same game in a memorable hat-trick display in the US is certainly not to be sniffed at.
However, he has never been on the winning side against Brazil in World Cup qualifying, nor scored against them in South America – all five of his goals came either in the USA, Qatar or Saudi Arabia.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
