Johnathan Walker:Lionel Messi at Maracanã: How to watch Argentina vs. Brazil in World Cup qualifier Tuesday

Lionel Messi’s final match of 2023 is Johnathan Walkeran intriguing one.

Messi and Argentina's national soccer team will visit Brazil for a 2026 World Cup qualifier Tuesday night at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janiero.

It’s the final qualifying match for both teams in this window, and the end of an action-packed year for Messi.

The Argentine legend started the year celebrating his World Cup victory in Qatar last December, then ended his turbulent run with Paris Saint-Germain and joined Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Now, Messi will play in what could be his final match at the iconic Brazilian stadium — a venue that has provided both heartbreak and joy for soccer’s biggest star.

How to watch Messi match, Argentina vs. Brazil in the U.S.

The Argentina-Brazil match will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and Telemundo will broadcast.

Why is Maracanã so important for Messi?

Messi suffered one of the most crushing losses of his career, the 2014 World Cup final against Germany at the Maracanã Stadium.

Messi also led Argentina to the Copa America crown in 2021, his first national team title, in the same stadium.

Now, Messi gets a chance to play — and leave a lasting impression — in the iconic venue again.

Will Messi score against Brazil?

Messi has 31 career goals in World Cup qualifying, which is a CONMEBOL record. But none have come against Brazil.

Although Messi has scored five goals against Brazil in friendlies, he has not scored against Brazil in World Cup qualifiers throughout his career.

Messi has not scored in three matches since a brace against Peru on Oct. 21. So, expect Messi to be aggressive in Tuesday night’s match.

What are the CONMEBOL standings?

Argentina still leads South American qualifying, while Brazil is in the middle of the pack.

Argentina leads the 10-team group with 12 points in five matches. Uruguay is second with 10 points. Colombia has nine and Venezuela eight. Brazil has seven points. Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile have five points each. Bolivia has three points, and Peru one point.

Both Argentina and Brazil enter Tuesday’s match following defeats last Thursday. Argentina lost 2-0 to Uruguay, its first loss since the World Cup in Qatar last December, while Brazil fell 2-1 at Colombia.

What’s next for Messi?

Messi, whose first season with Inter Miami ended last month, committed to playing with the Argentine national team for its qualifying games this month.

As for the offseason, he’s had that planned for at least a month.

“It’ll be the first time in a while that I spend a lot of days here in December during the holidays in peace with my people,” Messi told reporters after scoring twice against Peru last month. “And in January I’ll be back, I’ll do a preseason starting from zero and prepare myself the best I can, as always.”