Argentina may be without superstar Lionel Messi but the two-time world champions simply must beat Brazil in a friendly in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero says.
According to FIFA, this will be the 105th time the South American arch-rivals have faced each other in an official match, with Brazil marginally ahead on 40 wins to 38, with 26 draws.
And while Brazil, record five-time winners of the World Cup, have picked most of their star names, Argentina are without the likes of Manchester City's in-form forward Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain of AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria, as well as Messi.
"I would love Messi to be here because that would give us a boost in quality," said Romero, back in the Argentina squad following a knee injury that prevented him from featuring in two friendlies in September.
"Adding the best in the world would be best for the future of the national team."
"Here we have a new group of players and we'll try to do our best for the team."
- Messi barely missed -
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"Our team has prepared well and we hope to play a great match and win."
He said it's a match "between two teams undergoing a renovation. Here, we're giving opportunities to youngsters."
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