Lionel Messi and Other X-Factors Poised to Dazzle in Portugal vs. Argentina
Lionel Messi will lead his brigade of Argentina stars against Portugal at Old Trafford on Tuesday as the two sides meet in an international friendly that promises to be full of flair.
It's no surprise, therefore, that the figures we're tipping to impress on English shores relate largely to the attacking areas, and fans at the neutral venue will be hoping to see goals in surplus.
Gerardo Martino and Fernando Santos each have a wealth of superstar talent under their command, and we pick out the best of the bunch looking to dazzle in Manchester.
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Sergio Aguero
It's been no easy feat for Sergio Aguero to overcome the hype of Diego Costa and mount his own run for this season's Premier League Golden Boot, but the Argentinian currently sits in pole position for the award.
With 12 goals in nine Premier League starts this season, the Manchester City live-wire has been in typically prolific form, and he is currently on track to demolish his previous best of 23 league goals in a campaign.
The official Premier League Twitter account breaks down the striker's performances by the numbers:
Portugal showed at the 2014 World Cup that they can be pierced, and considering Santos' side have already lost to Albania in Euro 2016 qualification, they haven't opened in the most confident manner.
Portugal are on a two-match clean-sheet streak at present, admittedly, but centre-backs Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho face an altogether more daunting challenge in the shape of Aguero.
Cristiano Ronaldo
It's inevitable that Real Madrid's golden child should be seen as a key player in this fixture, where he'll of course revive his rivalry with Barcelona counterpart Messi.
It's only natural that these two hulks of the sport account for a heavier weight of the pre-match attention, each posing the ability to shape the game single-handedly.
However, this is all the more true in Ronaldo's case, a man who continues to carry Portugal on his back, having netted the only goals in successive 1-0 wins over Denmark and Armenia in the past month.
Keeping a spotless record at Old Trafford will be a far greater challenge considering the standard of opposition, but with 18 goals in 10 La Liga games, Ronaldo can hit back for his side.
It's an especially pivotal outing for Santos' star, too, as Ronaldo returns to former stomping ground Old Trafford, this time without the pressure of having to face former club Manchester United.
Lionel Messi
Argentina's captain holds the burden on his shoulders of once again attempting to lead La Albiceleste through their upcoming trial, just as he did for most of this year's World Cup.
Despite the friendly atmosphere, Barcelona's gem has spoken of the honour he feels to represent his nation, per Team Messi:
It's a sort of passion that often comes across in the ferocity with which he goes about his play, and the goals he provides for the South Americans are merely further reward for that reciprocated relationship.
As aforementioned, Portugal have managed to shore up their lines of late and haven't conceded in their previous two fixtures, but an attack of different class comes their way in midweek.
Messi may find himself drifting to the wings in an attempt to expose full-backs Cedric, Jose Bosingwa or Eliseu, each of whom have their pitfalls at the back, whereas Carvalho and Pepe make for a stronger core.
