Lionel Messi has played possibly his last game in the Superclassic of the Americas - the rivalry between Argentina and Brazil.
The Argentine superstar helped his team beat the Selecaos in the South American World Cup Qualifiers in an extra special game for The White and Sky Blue supporters and the Brazilians.
Brazilian football fans flocked to Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, and their agenda was not just to cheer for the home team. They also want to see Messi play for one last time.
The two football nations are bitter rivals, but this rivalry mellows down whenever the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner plays.
The Associated Press covered the Brazil-Argentina game and learned that many Brazilians almost switched sides for the qualifiers game.
Well, it is not just Brazilian fans Messi won over with his brilliance-even the players themselves.
This is not to demean the players and say their game was affected by their admiration of Messi. The game recognizes the game, and that deserves recognition.
1. Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli is the latest to gush over Messi. The two faced off on Tuesday, and the Arsenal player can't help but sing praises to his opponents.
"I want to enjoy the moment of being able to play against him, being able to be in the same stadium as him, watching him up close because I've only seen him in video games," Martinelli told reports before the match.
"It's going to be a wonderful experience."
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2. Neymar
Neymar and Messi went to battles together as players of Barcelona and Paris and as opponents, as part Brazil and Argentina.
For the former, losing does not hurt that much if it is Messi who beats his team.
"My friend and brother MESSI, I was sad and I told him: 'You beat me.' I'm very sad for having lost. But this guy is awesome! I have great respect for what he has done for football and especially for me," he said in 2021 after their Copa America match.
3. Rivaldo
Rivaldo is one of the Brazilian greats in football. His team bowed out of the FIFA World Cup 2022, and he did not have a hard time looking for a team to cheer. He picked their South American bitter rivals, Argentina, because of Messi.
He said the superstar deserved to lift the world title, which he did, because of who he is as a person.
This message by Rivaldo, of course, did not sit well with Brazilians.
4. Estevao Willian
Wonderkid Estevao Willian is called Messinho, which means Brazilian Messi.
The 16-year-old Brazilian never hides his admiration for Messi. He even dreams of playing for Barcelona one day.
"The name Messinho came about because of the comparison, because I always try to keep the ball on my foot," he said.
"He's certainly someone I've been inspired by, since I was a kid I've dreamed of being like him."
5. Ronaldo
Ronaldo Nazario has two reasons why he should not cheer for Messi. Yes, he played for Barcelona for one season, but his best years were with Real Madrid.
Still, he saw himself cheering for Messi and Argentina in the 2022 World Cup Final after seeing his team get eliminated.
He said he wanted Messi to win even if he would not like it since he is a Brazilian.
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