Nathan Ray Seebeck, Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

Brazil Makes Neymar Announcement Before Messi Showdown

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Mar 6, 2025 11:22 AM ET

One of South America's greatest soccer rivalries returns on March 25, when Argentina will host Brazil in CONMEBOL South American World Cup qualifying.

The two nations have combined for eight World Cup titles (five for Brazil, three for Argentina) across the 22 editions of soccer's most prestigious tournament.

Argentina is the current world champion, back-to-back Copa America champion, and the leader in the table for World Cup qualification.

La Albiceleste has 25 points after the first 12 matches, while Brazil's Selecao enters the March international break fifth in the table with 18 points. The top six teams will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup after they all play 18 games.

Argentina already listed Lionel Messi in its initial squad for the important upcoming games. Despite Messi's recent absence for MLS club Inter Miami CF, the Argentina captain is expected to lead his team in the matches against Uruguay and Brazil.

On Thursday, Brazil's squad announcement confirmed that the continent's other major star will be back in action in the canary yellow to face Colombia and Argentina.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CBF • Seleção Brasileira de Futebol (@cbf_futebol)

Neymar Jr. is set to make his first appearance for Brazil since injuring his knee on Oct. 17, 2023 in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, just one month after passing the legendary Pele as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals.

In January, Neymar came to a mutual agreement with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal to terminate his contract early, having made just seven league appearances in two seasons while battling injuries. He returned to his Brazilian boyhood club Santos, where he has regained fitness and gotten back on the national team radar.

"Happy to be back," Neymar wrote in Portuguese to his 229 million followers on his Instagram story following Thursday's news.

March 25: Argentina vs. Brazil

Messi vs. Neymar pic.twitter.com/JnQal499Ws
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 6, 2025

The potential for a Messi-Neymar showdown in late March is mouthwatering for fans. The last time the former Barcelona teammates played against each other on the international stage was the 2021 Copa America final, which saw Messi lift his first major international trophy in a 1-0 Argentina at the Maracana in Rio de Janiero.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: