Every single time Brazil and Argentina meet, it isn’t just a soccer match — it is usually a festival. But the only one who didn’t show up in their latest face-off, according to Argentina’s president Javier Milei, was the player who “loves to party” the most. The reigning world champions crushed Brazil 4-1 in Buenos Aires, booking their place for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but it was what happened after the match that had fans and media buzzing across South America.
No Lionel Messi? No problem. But no Neymar? Total disaster. Scheduled to finally return to the Seleção after yet another injury layoff, Neymar couldn’t even make it to the Monumental. A muscle problem with Santos left him in Brazil, watching helplessly as his teammates were torn to shreds by a ruthless La Albiceleste side that barely broke a sweat.
Milei, known for his provocative style, went straight for the jugular after the final whistle: “Considering how much Neymar loves to party, it’s strange he missed this dance,” he sneered on Instagram, triggering cheers from Argentine fans and furious reactions from Brazil.
The jab wasn’t random. Neymar’s reputation for glamorous nightlife and questionable recovery routines has long been a hot topic. The 33-year-old superstar has now missed 47 Brazil matches in the last four years — a staggering number for a player still considered the face of his country.
Worse still, inside Brazil, the alarms are blaring. Without the veteran star, the national team’s win percentage collapses, and Dorival Junior’s tactical plan looks non-existent. This was no narrow loss; it was a symbolic thrashing at the hands of their eternal rivals, who didn’t even have their king, Lionel Messi, on the pitch.
Argentina’s president goes ‘full meme’ mode
On the pitch, Argentina’s victory was about more than goals — it was about proving their depth and unity. Without Inter Miami’s captain, they showed they could still dominate. Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, Enzo Fernandez, and the rest delivered a collective performance that overwhelmed the arch-rival from start to finish.
Thus, Argentina’s president wasn’t satisfied with just one jab. On Instagram, he flooded his followers with memes and inside jokes. One showed a lion in an Argentina jersey, another was an AI-generated hand holding up four fingers — a playful nod to the scoreline. He even reposted a modified version of a famous quote from Guillermo Francella, cheekily replacing the “a” with a “4” in “Br4sil,” trolling the defeated rivals.
For Milei, it wasn’t just a soccer win — it was a political statement. “Football reflects our combative spirit,” he declared, as Buenos Aires exploded with chants, fireworks, and parties that Neymar would have certainly loved — if only he had been invited.
