"Without Neymar and Vini, Brazil will expect more from me"

Forward Rodrygo Goes, who is likely to start against Argentina in the sixth round of South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, said on Saturday that he knows more will be expected of him in the 'Canarinha' because of the absence of Neymar and Vinicius Jr.
"I think they will expect more from me. We are sad for Vini, my compatriot and my teammate. I think Argentina will respect us, just as we will respect them because it will be a game with a lot of dangerous players on the pitch," he told reporters.
Rodrygo said Brazil will be under pressure against Argentina, who lead the standings with 12 points after last Thursday's 2-1 defeat away to Colombia and are in fifth place in World Cup qualifying with just seven points from five games. However, he confessed that this match "is always a difficult and unpredictable game".
The 22-year-old also said that despite his age he has already "been through a lot in football" and that he can bring "experience" even with his youth: "I think it's going to go into the top three of the most important games for me so far," he added.