South American football giants head to the MCG

Multiple FIFA World Cup winners Brazil and Argentina are to continue their 103-year old football rivalry with a fixture at the MCG on Friday 9th June.

Organised by ticketing, live entertainment and data analytics company TEG in conjunction with TLA Worldwide, the Victorian Government and its agency Visit Victoria, competing as part of the Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour.

Announcing the fixture, Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren stated “there’s no bigger occasion in football than when Brazil takes on Argentina, and it’s coming to Melbourne.”

TEG Chief Executive Geoff Jones added “(this match) will showcase the fierce rivalry between two of the greatest football nations on earth, who have won seven FIFA World Cups between them.

“TEG is proud to be a partner in this landmark occasion which will only enhance Melbourne’s envied reputation for hosting international major events.”

With a TEG press release proclaiming ‘Messi and Neymar Jr coming to Australia’ the prospect of two of the world’s top footballers playing in Australia is expected to draw a crowd of 100,000 to the MCG.

However, while the release states “Brasil and Argentina will bring their best available talent to Australia”, potential injuries and lengthy seasons cannot guarantee the presence of these globally recognised sporting stars.

Nonetheless, the prospect of five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner, Messi, the presence of Argentian stars including Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano, Sergio Romero, Angel Di Maria, Pablo Zabaleta, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Correa and 2016 Olympic Games Gold medal winner, Neymar Jr and Brazilian stars Dani Alves, Filipe Luís, Fernandinho, Philippe Coutinho and Willian, is likely to be a major attraction for event and sport fans.

With the match described by the Victorian Government as an “exciting new version of the former International Champions Cup Australia”, it would appear that International Champions Cup format played over recent year - which last year featured world heavyweights Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur - has been dropped. In 2015, the Victorian Government paid a reported $150 million to secure the rights to the club-based mini tournament for the period 2016 to 2018.

At this stage, there is no indication that the Socceroos will play either Argentina or Brazil, in spite of the Australian team heading off to play in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia – which starts on 17th June.

A fixture for the Socceroos against of the South American football giants would appear to be ideal preparation for the FIFA World Cup preparations.

Argentina manager Edgardo Bauza said that his side would be viewing the MCG match as a crucial its preparations amid qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Bauza added “there is 100 years of rivalry between Argentina and Brasil. These matches are always special.

“We look forward to meeting in Melbourne. Our priority is to prepare for the important World Cup qualifiers coming up in 2017 and this match and the camp will be extremely valuable.”

Nigel Benton, Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Image: Brazil's Under 20s team play in Wollongong prior to the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup. Courtesy of Damian Briggs Photography.

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