Copa America 2021 final, Argentina vs. Brazil: Who has the edge in Neymar-Messi battle?

Brazil versus Argentina is always an epic battle, but Saturday night’s Copa America final will be even tastier given that it pits Lionel Messi against his former Barcelona teammate Neymar. 

If there’s been one constant at this summer’s Copa America, other than goals, it’s trash-talking. Unlike the Euros going on at the same time, you get a real sense that some of these South American nations truly dislike one another.

This disdain has often trickled down to the soccer field. Decades of geopolitical intrigue in the region and the love for futbol can make for a crazy cocktail. One needs to look no further than at the antics that played out in Argentina’s semifinal victory against Colombia.

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Has Neymar won Copa America? Has Neymar won a World Cup?

The Copa America final that will be contested Saturday at the famed Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro isn’t immune to any of this. Making the game even more appealing is that it features two of the best players in the world: Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar.

Both players were once teammates at Barcelona before Neymar left for Paris Saint-German in 2017. Both have conquered everything at club level, piling up domestic league title after another and capturing the UEFA Champions League.

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What these men have never done, however, is win a major trophy for their country. It’s true that both won Olympic gold medals, Messi, in 2008 and Neymar in 2016, but those don’t rank high on the soccer resume of accomplishments. In soccer, it’s all about the World Cup and your continental championship.

Messi has always been compared to the late Diego Maradona in terms of skill, but never when it came for love of country. Maradona was an unabashed and vocal defender for his nation and won them a World Cup in 1986.

Messi, on the other hand, led the Albiceleste to the 2014 World Cup final, only to lose to Germany. He also lost three Copa America finals (in 2007, 2015 and 2016) in his career. For many in Argentina, he’s all about Barcelona.

Has Messi even won Copa America?

Some Brazilians have even said they will root for Messi, wanting him to finally win a title for his nation. Brazilian SporTV journalist Fabiola Andrade is among them, saying on Instagram: “Before stoning me in a public square, let me explain: I love Brazil, Brazilian football…I have several Argentine friends. But I’m not going to root for Argentina in the Copa America final because of them, no. I cheer because I love #football and @leomessi This guy needs to win a title with his country’s shirt! For justice!”

That’s where the trash talk starts up again. That has angered Neymar, who lashed out against Brazilians like Andrade who are spurning the beloved Selecao.

Neymar, who missed Brazil’s Copa America title in 2019 because of injury, responded this way on Instagram: “I am ‘Brazilian with a lot of pride and with a lot of love. My dream was always to be in the Brazilian team and hear the fans singing. I never attacked nor would I ever attack Brazil if they are playing for something, whatever the sport, a model [beauty] contest, the Oscar……… I am Brazil, and who is Brazilian and does it differently?”

The trash-talking at this Copa hasn’t happened, at least not yet, between Messi and Neymar. Both remain friends, but friendship is pushed aside when there’s a major trophy and national pride on the line.

The Brazil-Argentina rivalry is among the biggest in the world. It has been made even better now with Neymar and Messi.