Argentina and Brazil stars are all-smiles in training ahead of Copa America semi-final showdown
- Argentina play Brazil in a Copa America semi-final match on Tuesday evening
- Stars from both sides were out for training sessions on Monday afternoon
- The players appeared in good spirits as they prepared for their big match
Stars from Argentina and Brazil have been training in preparation for their crucial Copa America semi-final showdown on Tuesday evening.
It’s one of the biggest matches of the year for Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Gabriel Jesus, Thiago Silva, and crew, but the players appeared in high spirits as they warmed up.
Lionel Messi is looking to overcome his international blips, as Argentina look to reach the Copa America final for the third time in a row.
The Argentina and Brazil stars were all-smiles as they prepared for their Copa America match
Thiago Silva stretches as he and his team-mates train ahead of their clash with Argentina
Lionel Messi is looking to overcome his international blips and reach another final match
The Brazil players, including the likes of Dani Alves, have a good time in training on Monday
Thiago Silva insists Brazil must forget about their World Cup humiliation ahead of their return to Mineirao.
Tite’s side face Argentina in their Copa America semi-final on Wednesday at the scene of their nightmare five years ago.
The match takes place at the Mineirao, the same stadium where Brazil were thumped 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-finals in 2014.
‘Nobody will forget what happened then. That match against Germany was horrible for us,’ PSG defender Silva told Fox Sports.
‘But that was a different situation. Now we are facing Argentina and we need to focus on playing our game. We will need to be careful because it’s a team that has the best player in the world (Lionel Messi).
‘We have a lot of respect for them.’
Argentina have reached four of the last five Copa America finals but have not won the tournament since 1993.
Gabriel Jesus is in high spirits as Brazil prepare for their Copa America semi-final match
Brazil head coach Tite looks on as he thinks about how to overcome Argentina on Tuesday
Roberto Firmino is looking to add to his trophy collection after winning the Champions League
Everton forward Richarlison hopes to be fit for the last four showdown after being diagnosed with mumps on Thursday.
‘Argentina will always be Argentina, even if it’s not going through a good moment,’ Silva added. ‘We have a lot of respect for them.’
Argentina lost the 2015 and 2016 finals on penalties to Chile with Barcelona forward Messi yet to win anything with his country despite a decorated club career.
But the 32-year-old is confident they can overcome Brazil and reach Sunday’s final, with the winners facing defending champions Chile or Peru.
‘They have players who can make the difference up front,’ Messi added to Fox.
‘We thought we would finish first in the group and be on the other side of the draw, but we are in semi-finals and only the best teams are here.’
Richarlison has been given the all clear to return to Brazil training after contracting the mumps
Argentina players are put through their paces as they prepare for the match against Brazil
Argentina’s lethal duo Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero will be looking for more goals