Ahead of the Argentina vs. Brazil match, coach Lionel Scaloni denied rumors of displaying the World Cup trophy. This came amidst heightened tensions from Raphinha’s comments. Di Maria’s laughing emojis on social media reflected the rivalry’s intensity.
The Argentina-Brazil rivalry is a significant event in international soccer, especially with the upcoming CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, addressed rumors about displaying the 2022 World Cup trophy ahead of the match against Brazil, fueled by comments from Brazilian players.
Reports indicated that the Argentina Football Association (AFA) was contemplating showcasing the World Cup trophy as teams entered the Monumental Stadium. Scaloni responded to these rumors at a pre-match press conference, stating, “There is no possibility of that happening tomorrow, they should have told us. No, absolutely not.”
Following Argentina’s World Cup win in 2022, FIFA temporarily entrusted the original trophy to the AFA. A replica will be held until the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Scaloni confirmed the trophy would not be displayed during the anticipated match versus Brazil.
Raphinha provoked responses with his bold statement, “We’re going to give Argentina a beating, no doubt,” during an interview. While Scaloni chose a more composed response, retired player Angel Di Maria reacted by posting laughing emojis on an Instagram post about Raphinha’s remarks, indicating his amusement and garnering considerable likes.
Lionel Scaloni decisively ruled out any display of the World Cup trophy against Brazil, dismissing rumors. The trophy remains with the AFA until its eventual return to FIFA. The pre-match tension heightened due to Raphinha’s controversial statement, which elicited a reaction from Di Maria, showcasing the animosity that often accompanies this fierce rivalry.
Original Source: worldsoccertalk.com
