It’s official: Lionel Messi will face off against Barcelona teammate Neymar on Australian soil as Argentina take on South American rivals Brazil at the MCG on June 9.
Following months of speculation, a press conference by Victoria’s minister for Sport, John Eren, this morning confirmed the mammoth clash between two of world football’s superpowers.
Argentina and Brazil boast seven FIFA World Cup titles between them and both are expected to field full-strength sides when they take to the pitch in Melbourne.
The event is the latest in a string of footballing showpieces to take place on the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In the past few years, the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and more have all brought sides to Melbourne for preseason action.
However, this clash will likely be the biggest of the lot with six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi to headline a clash which will likely be viewed all over the world.
The match could also boast a number of other huge names in football, including Liverpool’s Brazilian duo Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuain, Chelsea’s David Luiz as well as Barcelona centre-back Javier Mascherano.
The clash will take place in the lead-up to important World Cup qualifiers and as such it will be in the best interests of the two sides to bring full squads down under. Additionally, the rivalry between the two will could see a very heated ‘friendly.’
“These two nations are giants of the world game. This won’t just be a showstopper in Melbourne – it’s going to be viewed right around the world,” Eren said of the clash.
“There’s no bigger occasion in football than when Brazil takes on Argentina and its coming to Melbourne.”
The fixture will take place just a year out from the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018, and will be just the second time the two sides have faced off away from South America – the first taking place in Shanghai in 2014 where Messi saw a penalty saved as a Diego Tardelli double saw Brazil emerge victorious.
Tickets for the June clash will go on sale on Tuesday, February 21 at midday (AEDT) through Ticketek, with prices starting at $59.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
Barca thrashed by PSG today. if barca are knocked out of the Champions league, is it MORE or LESS likely that Messi and Neymar will come/ I think it's probably less, but I'm not sure.
prince igor
Guest
Eat you heart out Sydney another big international event Melbourne is the place for sporting excitement year round. When is your next big international event - the Sydney to Hobart boat race and thats very exciting isnt it?. Melbourne just had record breaking Australian Open and the great Nitro event that was televised worldwide and dont forget the F I GP is just around the corner No wonder Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia with surging sports tourism bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into the state economy
Nemesis
Guest
Why? They only want to watch celebrities. They'll not want to watch ALeague. Rather, Gallop/FFA need to talk to people at grassroots football. These people every week show they don't care about the name on the back of the shirt, they love football that they call their own. For me, this is the ALeague market. It may not be getting these people to join an ALeague club. Maybe it's giving them a pathway for their club to eventually be in the Aleague - however remote. I read someone say recently on Twitter that he follows a team in 4th Division England. But he knows that there's a chance that his team will one day play EPL. It's not pie-in-the sky. It actually happens.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Will pull a crowd no doubt. More than half the crowd will never have been to an A-league game. There is your challenge Gallop/FFA. Go talk to these people. Meet with them inside and outside the ground. Show your faces. It can't hurt can it?
Jim
Guest
I think quite a few will play Caution - it will be played before a couple of South American qualifiers, which for Argentina in particular will be very important. So it is likely they'll play relatively strong teams as a result.
Brian
Guest
Actually Argentina are only 5th in CONEMBOL with 6 games left. There's a chance Messi will come to Auckland in November and play a proper and intense 90 minutes. Well intense 30 minutes before the Kiwis are down 3-0
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
Prices seem reasonable to me. Looks like I'll be able to get me and a copule of kids in for around $320 if I go Silver ($300 plus booking fees etc). I was expecting around $500. Very happy.
Caution
Guest
Be cautious. The big names don't usually waste their efforts on friendlies.
Nemesis
Guest
No way I'll be going to this unless I get a free corporate ticket with booze & food. I'll be watching Neymar & Messi in Russia in 2018.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Platinum $230. Gold $180. It will still sell out within hours. Despite even Platinum and Gold seats being 50-60m from the action.
pauly
Guest
Bit exhorbitant don't you think? Mind you the event watching sit-and-clap mob will be all over this. If you are going to this Nem be prepared to explain the offside rule to dozens of people sitting near you...if they can stop taking Instagram selfies for 10 seconds.
Nemesis
Guest
Tickets priced as high as $475. Standing room: $110 No General Admission. On Sale from next week. No other sport can generate this sort of interest. http://www.mcg.org.au/brazilargentina
AMidfielder
Guest
May have to make the trip to the south land for this.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Friendlies during the winter usually don't draw much more than an eye roll from me but this is genuinely massive and exciting. Not that I have any intention of attending cos it'll cost an arms and a leg but it'll be awesome to have them play in Aus during the winter. We play a massive WCQ vs Saudis in Adelaide the night before this. The combined hype for the two encounters will be great. Hopefully we see 40k+ in Adelaide and 80k+ in Melbourne. As our eternal leader would say "Yuuuuggeee"
Kevin Malone
Guest
Football wins again
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
Wow, just WOW! i'll be there. Nemesis, how did you know this was on for sure. this is going to be fantastic, whether Neymar and Messi are there or not.
pauly
Guest
I wonder why people make stupid comments like this.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I'll believe Messi and Neymar are playing when they are in the field at kickoff. Until then this will be Argentina B vs Brazil B
Optusout
Guest
Anyone know when Australia playing Brazil?
punter
Guest
When I get bored I eat, when you get bored you write about something you don't understand. I get fat, so I try to not to stay bored. You look Unintelligent, try not to stay bored.