Argentina vs. Brazil: Nothing Friendly About These Two Storied Football Nations

Argentina and Brazil meet Wednesday in what has been labeled a friendly. We know better. These two nations are the upper echelon of football in the Americas, leading this match to be properly labeled America's Superclassic series. 

The bad news for fans is that a good portion of the elite will not be on the pitch when play begins on Wednesday. Fresh into Champions League play, Argentina will be hit the hardest as their stars have domestic duties to take care of. 

La Albiceleste will be without the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Angel Di María, or Gozalo Higuaín. Brazil will not be at full strength either, missing striker Fred to injury. 

That there will still be enough talent on the pitch is not what drives me to watch this game. Brazil will have seasoned vets in Ronaldinho and Kleber. They will also have the exciting young Neymar, a star that will shine in Europe sooner rather than later. 

Argentina has some players that will invigorate the side as their names are called. I am particularly interested to see what Pablo Mouche will do with a full 90 minutes under his belt. 

The ball will find him most often as he breaks to the box. The diminutive defender, Clemente Rodríguez, will be another exciting player to target for viewing. 

But the rosters are only part of the story. These two nations are locked in a fierce battle for football supremacy across the continent. 

Each battle is fought for bragging rights. The outcome of most matches shapes the culture and diplomatic ties between the two. 

In fact, after a couple of rough games in the 40's, the two sides refused to see each other on the pitch for ten years. 

The nations were reinvigorated by the years that saw Pele and Diego Maradona battle it out. Both men were given god-like status by their supporters, and demonized by the opposition. 

To say that Wednesday's match is a friendly is beyond laughable. Even without the bulk of their stars, each country's supporters will demand success. 

A loss is unforgivable, and a win is savored for weeks, even is an otherwise meaningless friendly. Football is a game of passion; that is not lost on Argentina, nor Brazil.

Evidence of that can be heard in the rocking stadium that will house this grand event Wednesday.