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Last updated: 22/03/19 13:22
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo return to the international scene on Friday
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will play their first international matches since the World Cup on Friday.
Messi is scheduled to play Friday's friendlies against Argentina against Venezuela and Ronaldo, as well as during the qualifying for Euro 2020 of Portugal at home against Ukraine – a live match Sky sports.
How did their countries react without them?
Portugal
We have not seen Ronaldo take on Portugal's silk since he was thwarted by a Uruguayan inspired by Edinson Cavani at the last 16-step World Cup in Russia. He ran knowing that his World Cup days are probably already counted. He will be almost 38 when Qatar comes in 2020.
Portugal vs Ukraine
March 22, 2019, 7:40 pm
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The six games without Ronaldo – who announced that he had reached an agreement to avoid Portugal's matches in the second half of 2018 in order to give him the best chances to start well at Juventus – have been a good indicator of the future the national team. Portugal have won three and drawn three, but have made the League of Nations final a success, which suggests that Portugal, champion of Europe 2016, will remain a force on the international scene.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos had confidence in the decision of his players to deliver without their main man. They beat Italy and Poland on their way to the top of the group of nations. Striker Andre Silva scored in both victories, possibly inspiring Ronaldo's remarks that he was "heir" to Ronaldo's stance as the pivot of the day. attack of his country.
Ronaldo should make his first appearance in Portugal since last summer
Santos also used the friendship with Scotland to defeat some of the youngest and most inexperienced members of his team and was rewarded with an impressive 3-1 win. RB winger Leipzig, Bruma, scored and wore the No. 7 jersey in the absence of Ronaldo in a brilliant display.
The question of whether Santos can put pressure on one or the other young member of his team for qualifying against Ukraine and Serbia on March 22 and 25 with Ronaldo at his post is a another problem. Portugal is in Group B of the Euro 2020 Qualifiers, where it will play against Luxembourg, Lithuania, as well as Ukraine and Serbia mentioned above.
Key quotes …
Back Joao Cancelo: "Cristiano has nothing to prove to anyone, he marks the history both in the national team and in all the clubs for which he plays.It is obvious that his presence adds to the quality."
Old Portuguese international decoration: "You can not say you do not need Cristiano Ronaldo, it's gone crazy if we say that, and with Cristiano Portugal will certainly be stronger."
Argentina
It was a familiar ending for Messi with regard to Argentina in Russia. He and his team retired in the round of 16 after a thrilling encounter with France, where Messi was defeated by Kylian Mbappe. Despite his superhuman efforts and club-level performances, he still has a void on the international stage.
Since that defeat, Messi has moved away from Argentina in the past nine months, refusing to speak with the media to explain the reasoning behind the decision.
However, with the Copa America on the horizon, Messi is back and will win Friday his 129th selection against Venezuela – a friendly match played in Madrid. Argentina should play Morocco next week, but it is unclear whether Messi will travel or not.
Messi has no longer played for Argentina since their 16th defeat against France
But the big question is: what will it come back to?
Lionel Scaloni is now responsible after the replacement of Jorge Sampaoli, who wants to win a first major trophy for Argentina for 26 years. In the six games without Messi, Argentina has won four of its six friendlies – nothing to do from scratch – but suffered a 1-0 defeat to Brazil, where Miranda brought back a spectacular winner of the Saudi Superclasico. "played in the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Sergio Aguero remains in disgrace and was not selected in the team. Gonzalo Higuain, Mauro Icardi and Ever Banega will not play Friday, Scaloni having promised to experiment with young players alongside Messi.
However, the team lacks new talent and will continue to trust Messi, who is in top shape nationally, to lead his charge to the next World Cup despite his years of advancement.
Key quotes ….
Scaloni: "The return of Messi is a joy, despite my young age, I have the chance to train him.I must try to make sure that the team accompanies and pulls the best from him."
Technical Director of Argentina, Cesar Luis Menotti: "It scares me that Messi is playing, I see him emotionally tired between the Champions League and the national team.
"I see him very tired.He has a lot of obligations and with a lot of emotional baggage, a lot of responsibilities at his feet."
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