Messi Snubs Brazil Team & Sparks Jealousy | Neymar Only Greeting

BUENOS AIRES – Lionel Messi appeared to pointedly acknowledge only Neymar following Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Brazil in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match at the Monumental Stadium on Tuesday, a gesture observers interpreted as a snub to the Brazilian national team. The perceived slight occurred as Messi departed the pitch, shaking hands with Neymar but appearing to bypass all other Brazilian players.

The match itself was notable for the absence of both team’s star players, with Messi and Neymar both ruled out due to injury prior to kickoff. This marked the first time in nearly 20 years that Argentina and Brazil faced each other without both Messi and Neymar on the field, according to reports. Thiago Almada scored the decisive goal for Argentina, securing a crucial three points in the qualifying campaign.

The decision to withdraw Neymar from the squad was made jointly by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the player himself, following the re-emergence of pain in his left thigh, sustained during a recent Paulista Championship match. Real Madrid’s Endrick replaced Neymar in the squad. Brazil’s coach Dorival Junior had initially included Neymar in the squad list for the March international break, anticipating his return from an ACL injury suffered in October 2023.

The absence of both Messi and Neymar had been billed as a significant loss for the fixture, diminishing the anticipated individual rivalry between the two aging stars. Despite the absence of key players, the match remained a fiercely contested affair, with both teams demonstrating a strong desire to secure a victory. Brazil, currently sitting third in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, had recently reach from behind to defeat Colombia 2-1, while Argentina maintained their lead in the standings with a six-point advantage over Ecuador.

Argentina’s victory further solidifies their position at the top of the qualifying group, while Brazil’s defeat raises questions about their form and consistency in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. The Brazilian national team has been facing a period of regional dominance, but currently trails Argentina in the qualification standings. The CBF has not yet released a statement regarding Messi’s actions following the match and no Brazilian players have publicly commented on the incident.

The next scheduled match for Argentina is a yet-to-be-determined fixture in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, while Brazil will continue their qualifying campaign with another match in the coming weeks.