Barcelona superstars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez would be squaring up against each other when Argentina take on Uruguay during the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers at the international break, with the winner possibly taking the advantage in the Fifa Ballon D'Or stakes. Uruguay are on top of the standings, while Argentina place third.
The game is going to be crucial to their qualifying hopes, but the emotional feel makes it special after the last meeting between both sides. At the Copa America Centenario this year in the United States, Uruguay were knocked out by Argentina in the group stage. The game left Suarez angry as he couldn’t play in the game.
After a fine run, Argentina lost to Chile in the final on penalties. The loss hurt five time Ballon d’Or winner Messi that he declared his retirement from international football (which he has since gone back on). Chile would have been one of the smart live bets, with their defenders never really being ruffled by the Argentinaforward line, allowing them to force the game to penalties.
The game against Uruguay would be Messi’s return to international football after his declaration as newly appointed coach was able to convince him to upturn his decision. FC Barcelona claim the Argentine forward has a sore left hamstring, but coach Edgardo do Bauza is hoping he gets fit quick to contribute.
“He’s okay, he’s okay. We are going to take good care of him. But I have faith that he will be okay for the match against Uruguay,” Bauza told Argentina daily Ole. On the other hand, Suarez is fit, and would be most willing to hand the 2014 World Cup finalist a pound of a flesh.
The striker has scored three goals in two games in the La Liga already. He is going to be a major force if Uruguay want to seal their participation in Russia in 2018. The game is set for Estadio Malvinas in Mendoza, Argentina on the 1st of September. Aside Messi, other Argentine stars are expected to turn up right during the match.