Brazilian star Raphinha has announced his team will lead the Samba team to victory over Argentina ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in South America on Wednesday morning.
The Barcelona star is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or after a breakthrough season, which has seen him score 27 goals and provide 20 assists.
Raphinha has improved greatly since his time at Leeds United and has become a mainstay – and may even overtake Vinicius Junior – as Brazil look to close the seven-point gap on Argentina on Wednesday.
Last week, Raphinha and Vinicius both scored in Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Colombia and the Barca star will be looking to get on the scoresheet again against Argentina, who will be without Lionel Messi. Raphinha met up with Selecao เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา legend Romario before the game.
“We are going to play Argentina, our biggest rivals now, thank God. Without Messi, can we beat them?” Romario asked.
“We will beat them, no doubt, on and off the pitch, if necessary,” Raphinha replied.
“Will you try to score against Argentina?” Romario asked.
“Yes, with everything,” He replied. Raphinha has five goals and two assists in nine qualifying games so far, but after 13 games, Brazil is seven points behind Argentina.
The last time they met, Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal at the Maracana in November 2023, when fans clashed in the stands before kick-off, clashing with police officers and delaying the kick-off for half an hour.
Some players from both sides entered the stands to try to calm the fans, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez jumped into the stands to slap the batons from a police officer. Before his teammates intervened, cameras captured Angel Di Maria spitting at a fan who had thrown beer at him as he and his teammates made their way back down the tunnel.
Argentina face a tougher situation this time without Messi, who is struggling with a muscle injury.