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Brazil and Argentina rekindled there age-old rivalry with a scintillating showpiece semi-final today in the Copa America, with the Selecao edging the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino.
The rivalry between South America's two most successful nations is as old as the game itself, with the first recorded encounter between them taking place way back in 1914. Since then, the Selecao and the Albiceleste have played each other 110 times, with Brazil edging the head-to-head record with 46 wins to Argentina 39, with 25 games having ended in draws.
Brazil are the more successful side when it comes to World Cups, having won a record 5 titles compared to Argentina's 2. The Albiceleste however, have the edge when it comes to Copa America title, with 14 victories to their name compared to Brazil's 8.
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Let us see who will make it to an all-time combined XI of the two football-mad nations.
Goalkeeper-Claudio Taffarel (Brazil 1988-1998)
Brazil's goalkeeping legend and goalkeeping coach of the current Selecao squad, Claudio Taffarel is the first name on the list. The former Parma and Galatasaray shot-stopper was virtually unbeatable in the 1994 FIFA World Cup as an unfancied Brazil side raced to the title with a defensive team.
In a famous final against Italy that went into a penalty shootout, Taffarel famously saved the 5th Italian penalty from Daniele Massaro and ensured the Selecao pipped the Azzurri 3-2 to lift the World Cup title.
The legend has an astonishing 52 clean sheets in 101 appearances for Brazil and has set high standards for Liverpool's Alisson and Manchester City's Ederson to look up to.
Honourable Mentions: Marcos (Brazil 1999-2005), Ubaldo Fillol (Argentina 1974-1985)
Centre-Back-Daniel Passarella (Argentina 1976-1986)
The captain and inspiration behind the 1978 FIFA World Cup winning Argentina squad, Passarella is remembered as a rock-solid centre back with an eye for building up play from the back.
Under his leadership, the Albicelester conceded just 4 goals in 7 games and overwhelmed a star-studded Netherlands side headlined by Johan Neeskens 3-1 in the final to lift the nation's first FIFA World Cup title.
Honourable Mentions: Lucio (Brazil 2000-2011), Walter Samuel (1999-2010)
Centre-Back-Hilderaldo Bellini (Brazil 1957-1966)
The captain of the 1958 FIFA World Cup winning Brazil squad, Hilderaldo Bellini lead the Selecao to their first ever World Cup triumph, healing the wounds of countless Brazilians left heartbroken after the disastrous final loss in the 1950 World Cup.
Lead by a steadfast defence spearheaded by Bellini, Brazil raced to the title in 1958, inspired by the supreme talents of a an emerging 17-year-old Pele. The Selecao did not concede a single goal till the semi-final and maintained an impressive defensive record of 4 goals let in from 6 games in the tournament.
Bellini was honoured with a statue right at the entrance of the iconic Maracana stadium in Rio da Janeiro, depicting him lifting the 1958 World Cup trophy
Honourable Mentions: Jose Luis Brown (Argentina 1983-1989), Aldair (Brazil 1989-2000)
Left-Back-Roberto Carlos (Brazil 1992-2006)
Roberto Carlos was possibly the first genuine superstar wingback in world football, making the fullback positions glamorous with his flamboyant playing style and cannon-like long distance shots and free-kicks.
Most famously remembered as part of the legendary 2002 FIFA World Cup winning Brazil squad, the Real Madrid legend made the left-back role for the Selecao his own, earning over 125 caps. His famous free-kick against France in a friendly in 1997 is still remembered as one of the great iconic goals in football history.
Honorable Mentions: Nilton Santos (Brazil 1949-1962), Alberto Tarantini (Argentina 1974-1982)
Right-Back-Cafu (Brazil 1990-2006)
Brazil's right side of defence was manned for almost two decades by the legendary Cafu, who still holds the record for all-time appearances for the Selecao with 141 caps in the Canary Yellow. The captain of the iconic 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning side, Cafe was instrumental in leading an unfancied side to the title, beating Germany in the finals.
He still holds the record of being the only player to have taken part in three world cup finals, having been part of the 1994 FIFA World Cup-winning squad and a losing finalist in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final won by France.
Notable Mentions: Javier Zanetti (1994-2011), Carlos Alberto (1964-1977)
Left Wing-Diego Maradona (Argentina 1977-1994)
Widely regarded as the greatest player to have ever played the beautiful game alongside Pele, Maradona is undoubtedly Argentina's greatest ever player. Maradona lead the Albiceleste to their second World Cup triumph in Mexico in 1986, lighting up the tournament with his electric displays.
He scored what came to be known as the 'Goal of the Century' against England in the tournament, weaving past almost the entire opposition in a magical run to score. In 2002, Maradona and Pele were jointly awarded the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.
Notable Mentions: Zico (Brazil 1976-1986), Osvaldo Ardiles (Argentina 1975-1982)
Right Winger-Garrincha (Brazil 1955-1966)
The iconic Garrincha is widely recognised as the greatest dribbler of all time in football and was the driving force behind Brazil's 1962 World Cup triumph with Pele out injured. Nicknamed the Alegria do Povo (People's Joy) and Anjo de Pernas Tortas (Bent-Legged Angel), Garrincha top-scored with 4 goals to lead the Selecao to their second World title, running rings around opposition defences.
Such was the ability of Pele and Garrincha, that the Selecao never lost a match that featured the iconic duo in the lineup. He was included in the World Cup All-Star Team's of both 1958 World Cup and 1962 editions and in 1994, was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team.
Notable Mentions: Jorge Burruchaga (1983-1990), Jairzinho (Brazil 1964-1982)
Central Attacking Midfielder-Lionel Messi (Argentina 2005-Current)
The only contemporary player who makes this list, Lionel Messi along with Cristiano Ronaldo has been the best player in world football for the past decade, devastating opposition defences with their sensational gameplay.
A record 5 time Ballon d'Or winner and a two-time treble winner with Barcelona, Messi has however failed to win any major silverware with Argentina, despite hauling them almost single-handedly to three major finals, only to lose all three.
Messi will look to the Copa America this year as a chance for redemption and finally claim what seemed to be his birthright for so long-the claim of being Maradona's heir apparent.
Notable Mentions: Ronaldinho (1999-2013), Daniel Bertoni (1974-1982)
Left Forward-Mario Kempes (Argentina 1973-1982)
Mario 'El Matador' Kempes was the hero of the 1978 FIFA World Cup winning Argentina side, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player as well as the Golden Boot as the championship's top scorer.
A two-time La Liga top scorer with Valencia, Kempes starred in 1978 final by scoring a sensational brace, propelling the Abliceleste to their first World Cup title with a 3-1 victory over the highly fancied Netherlands.
Notable Mentions: Rivaldo (Brazil 1993-2003), Claudio Caniggia (1987-2002)
Right Forward-Pele (Brazil 1957-1971)
Regarded widely as the greatest player along with Maradona to grace the beautiful game, having won an unparalleled three world cup titles-1958, 1962 and 1970. In 1999, he was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), and in 2000, FIFA named him alongside Maradona as the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award.
His record of 77 international goals for the Selecao stills stands today and IFFHS still recognised him as the most successful domestic league goal-scorer in football history, having scored an astonishing 650 goals in 694 League matches.
Notable Mentions: Vava (Brazil 1955-1964), Ariel Ortega (Argentina 1993-2003)
Centre Forward-Ronaldo (Brazil 1994-2011)
Ronaldo was the hero of the 2002 FIFA World Cup winning Brazil side, scoring a sensational brace in the final against Germany, to complete a phoenix-like comeback from a long term injury layoff to star in the World Cup in Korea-Japan.
The Inter Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid legend came back from bitter disappointment in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, losing the final to France despite being selected the best player of the tournament. El Phenomeno was not to be denied in 2002 and lead the Selecao to a record 5th World Cup triumph, also winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's top scorer.
Notable Mentions: Gabriel Batistuta (1991-2002), Romario (1987-2005)
The full All-Time XI is as below:
