Argentina forward Lucas Pratto has said that Brazil is afraid of Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi as the two South American giants prepare to lock horns in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying series.
Thursday will see CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualifying leaders Brazil host rivals Argentina in Belo Horizonte.
Argentina, who are five points behind Brazil in sixth after 10 matches, are favourite to win the match.
Argentina parades Messi who has missed the past three qualifiers due to a knee injury.
Pratto, who plays for Atlectico Mineiro in Brazil, told Argentine newspaper Ole, “They know that Leo is very tough. They are a little scared.
“Or maybe more than a little.”
While the 29-year-old was injured, Argentina lost to Paraguay and drew with Peru and Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Messi’s former teammate at Barcelona and Brazilian defender, Dani Alves, says he has no such concerns of facing an Albiceleste side led by Messi, insisting the Selecao have no reason to worry.
He told news conference ahead of the game, “Fear doesn’t exist in football. There’s a mutual respect.
“It’s the same that there’s an overall respect for Messi and for the Argentina national team.
“It’s just like I believe that there’s respect for our players and for our national team as well.
“So we are going to look to have a good game and continue our growth within the competition no matter who is on the other team.”
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