The Brazil Football Confederation and Argentine Football Association have announced their touring squads for the upcoming Brasil Global Tour, with five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina champion, Lionel Messi, confirmed to play at the MCG on Friday June 9.
Brazil, number one in the FIFA world rankings, will take on Messi’s second-placed Argentina as he leads a 20-player squad including superstars Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria and Juventus's attacking duo of Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala.In Brazil’s 24-man touring party, Neymar Jr will miss the trip to Australia for the matches against Argentina (June 9) and the Socceroos (June 13).
David Luiz will return in defence for the Brazilian’s and Gabriel Jesus, who is taking the Premier League by storm with Manchester City will excite crowds.
The Seleção will arrive in Melbourne with an additional host of stars including Willian, Philippe Coutinho, Filipe Luís and Fernandinho.
Event organisers Geoff Jones from TEG and Bart Campbell from TLA Worldwide said:
“We are delighted to confirm that Lionel Messi, one of the greatest ever footballers, will be returning to MCG to headline one of the iconic world sporting rivalries when Argentina takes on Brazil.”
“Messi heads some of the best talent of world football coming to Melbourne from both Argentina and Brazil. Both squad announcements feature players who have won Continental, Domestic Cup and League campaigns all over the world.”
“We are disappointed that Neymar Jr will not be playing, as we have had assurances and undertakings that both teams would be bringing their best available squads.
"Despite this omission there is still a plethora of international stars proudly representing their national teams in one of the oldest and most prestigious football derbies in the world and we hope that the fans will enjoy the once-in-a-generation encounter at the MCG."
BRAZIL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Valencia), Weverton (Atletico Paranaense), Ederson (Benfica)Defenders: Alex Sandro (Juventus), David Luiz (Chelsea), Fagner (Corinthians), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Gil (Shandong Luneng), Jemerson (Monaco), Rafinha (Bayern Munich), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Fernandinho (Manchester City), Giuliano (Zenit St Petersburg), Lucas Lima (Santos), Paulinho (Guangzhou Evergrande), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Renato Augusto (Beijing Gouan), Rodriguinho (Corinthians), Willian (Chelsea)
Forwards: Diego Souza (Sport), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk)
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad)Defenders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Emanuel Mammana (Lyon), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Eduaro Salvio (Benfica), Lucas Rodrigo Biglia (Lazio), Ever Banega (Inter Milan), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham United), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Guido Rodriguez (Tijuana)
Forwards: Leo Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), Joaquin Correa (Sevilla), Alejandro Dario Gomez (Atalanta), Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
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