The Premier League club’s termination boycott overshadows World Cup qualification in South America. After all, the light figures Neymar and Lionel Messi, who are now reunited at PSG, report their presence.
On Sunday one had to give way to the other, on Tuesday they landed a good 4400 kilometers separated from each other as latecomers on South American soil, on the triple matchday of the South American World Cup qualifiers they are now fighting face to face for their ticket to the 2022 finals in Qatar . Despite all the boycott threats from Europe’s top leagues, friends Lionel Messi and Neymar are beaming over the Eliminatorias.
The Argentine will be first in Venezuela on Thursday, the Brazilian will follow him in Chile, before the classic between the great football powers and the two stars of France’s figurehead Paris St. Germain will rise on Sunday in Sao Paulo.
Then Messi’s long-awaited triumph with the gauchos, winning the Copa America against his speci Neymar at Sugar Loaf, was just eight weeks ago. The first minutes of the game for the new employer are even more fresher in memory when the Brazilian who stormed next to him in Barcelona between 2013 and 2017 was substituted for him in the 2-0 win against St. Reims at the weekend.
In the shadow of the light figures, however, the anger over the Premier League clubs dominates. The expansion of the cancellation window approved by the world association FIFA in order to make up for one of the match days that had been canceled in March due to the corona pandemic, had called Europe’s leagues on the scene, but the international sports court CAS broke ranks with the rejection of the objection presented by the Spanish league association. Only England remained stubborn.
After all, there was a gentlemen’s agreement with two clubs: Argentina can fall back on Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia (both Aston Villa) as well as Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso (both Tottenham). The Spurs also let the Colombian Davinson Sanchez arrive. The quintet will have to do without part three of the triple game day in the coming week.
“Everything is out of control. It is impossible and unacceptable that not only Uruguay should have to play without its stars. (Edinson) We will miss Cavani very much, ”complained Uruguay’s captain Diego Godin. The Urus, who will compete in Peru on Thursday, are missing the Manchester United superstar and goal guarantor Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid) due to a bruise in his left knee.
Chile waited in vain for two players from England and has therefore already formally lodged a protest at FIFA. Brazil is planning the same path after nine nominated stars had to stay on the island in order to attend the Champions League opener in Liverpool, Manchester City and United as well as Chelsea (September 14 and 15) without a compulsory quarantine break can.
And so Selecao coach Tite is building on seven short-term nominees, including veteran Hulk (35) after a five-year international break, as well as six Olympic champions from Tokyo, including Matheus Cunha, who recently moved from Hertha BSC to Atletico Madrid. The record world championship champion is aiming for his seventh win in a row and thus a new start record in Chile.
Despite the Copa final bankruptcy a few weeks ago, Brazil is the non plus ultra on the continent with 18 points after a third of the Eliminatorias. Argentina are already six points behind. Between the third-placed Ecuadorians (9) and bottom light Peru (4), the rest of them cavort in the battle for four direct tickets.
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