Brazil and Argentina will go head to head in Beijing in Saturday’s Superclasico as Barcelona‘s star players and captains of their respective countries Lionel Messi and Neymar will be vying to come out on top.
Brazil won the last two Superclasicos back in 2011 and 2012 but those were played over two legs and only the players playing in the domestic leagues of the two countries could take part in them. Saturday’s match holds no such restrictions and will see Kaka making his return to the national team after a gap of 18 months.
Speaking at a press conference in China, Neymar spoke glowingly about Messi as he said, “Playing alongside him is a great honour; he’s the best player in the world.”
“Playing against him is not pleasant and we hope that he has a bad day and doesn’t see much of the ball.”
“We all realise that we can’t give him time to think or start his mazy runs.”
“We basically can’t let him do anything but we do have to win the game.”
Messi returns to the Olympic Stadium having won the 2008 Olympics gold medal with Argentina when he was just 21 years-old when he assisted Angel di Maria to delightfully chip in the winner against Nigeria.