Neymar was hit with more bad luck while representing Brazil, while Messi shone yet again for Argentina in their respective 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers early on Wednesday morning.
Goals from Darwin Nunez and Nicolas de la Cruz helped Uruguay sink Brazil by two goals to nil.
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The Liverpool striker proved to be the star of the night as he grabbed his country's opener in the 42nd minute and provided the assist that saw De la Cruz wrap the game up with Uruguay's second goal in the 77th minute.
After conceding the first goal, things went from bad to worse for Fernando Diniz's side when Neymar fell to floor in agony after landing awkwardly on his left foot.
The Al Hilal star had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher, and was visibly in tears as he did so.
??Watch: Neymar Jr leaves the field on a stretcher crying after picking up an injury with Brazil against Uruguay! ??????#Brazil #Uruguay pic.twitter.com/ez5HqpeVU9
— Inter Miami FC Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) October 18, 2023
The 31-year-old has spent much of the year battling to recover from injury after undergoing surgery to repair ankle ligaments in March during his time at Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazil star was sidelined for five months, even delaying his Saudi Pro League debut. Now, Neymar must battle once more to return to fitness, with it believed his latest knock is a serious one.
Meanwhile, his former PSG teammate Messi's fortunes appear to be comfortably going the other way.
The forward, who recently sustained an injury that saw him miss a few weeks of action for Inter Miami, was in action for Argentina as they beat Peru 2-0 this morning courtesy of his brace.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner was the star of the show as he guided his national side to a fourth consecutive victory to put them top of the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying table.
Messi's dazzling two goals in the first half also saw him break yet another record, with the former FC Barcelona star becoming the all-time highest goalscorer in CONMEBOL qualifiers with 31 goals in 63 matches.
Messi has broken another record. (No matter when you read this)#ArgentinaNT pic.twitter.com/u5rUri1uLb
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) October 18, 2023
Other results from the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday morning:
Ecuador 0 - 0 Columbia
Paraguay 1 - 0 Bolivia
Venezuela 3 - 0 Chile
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