Lionel Messi, Neymar to star as Brazil and Argentina scheduled to play at the MCG on June 9

Sunday, 5 of March 2017
By Gringo Sports

The Victorian Government confirmed on Friday the 'Superclasico' — pitting world football heavyweights Argentina and Brazil — will take place at the Melbourne venue on June 9.

"We will have the best two teams clashing here at the MCG," state Sports Minister John Eren told reporters

Recent Brazil v Argentina rivalry

Date	Competition	Venue	Result
September 2011	Superclasico de las Americas 1st leg	Cordoba, Argentina	0-0 draw
September 2011	Superclasico de las Americas 2nd leg	Belem, Brazil	Brazil 2-0  (Brazil wins 2-0 overall)
June 2012	International friendly	New Jersey, U.S.	Argentina 4-3
September 2012	Superclasico de las Americas 1st leg	Goiania, Brazil	Brazil 2-1
November 2012	Superclasico de las Americas 2nd leg	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Argentina 2-1 (Brazil wins 4-3 on penalties)
October 2014	International friendly	Beijing, China	Brazil 2-0
November 2015	World Cup 2018 qualifier	Buenos Aires, Argentina	1-1 draw
November 2016	World Cup 2018 qualifier	Belo Horizonte, Brazil	Brazil 3-0

The teams share a heated rivalry and are ranked world number one and number two.

For Argentina, Messi leads a long line of world-renowned stars, including Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria.

Brazil have no shortage of high-profile names, with Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Oscar and Dani Alves expected to draw thousands through the gates.

The match will be an important hit-out for both sides ahead of South American World Cup qualifiers to be played from late August to October.

"We look forward to meeting in Melbourne.

"Our priority is to prepare for the important World Cup qualifiers coming up in 2017 and this match and the camp will be extremely valuable."

The availability of the two country's mega-stars will be the major talking point.

Touring club sides in recent years have opted to leave their biggest names at home, sparing them the cross-continental flights during the off-season.

Off the back of an arduous club campaign, and with a 2017/18 season that finishes with the World Cup, it remains to be seen whether organisers will guarantee the availability of Messi, Neymar and others.

Should the star Argentinian play, it will be his first match at the MCG since masterminding a 1-0 defeat of Australia in a friendly in September 2007.