Friendly preview: Argentina v Portugal

It is hard to go past the battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when Argentina meets Portugal in Switzerland on Wednesday.

The clash of two of the world’s best players – and the friendly between their two national sides – was originally to be played in London at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, but was moved to the Stade de Geneve in Geneva after reported scheduling problems.

World Cup quarter-finalists Argentina have elected not to call on several stars, including strike duo Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain and defenders Gabriel Heinze and Martin Demichelis.

But manager Sergio Baptista still has plenty of big names at his disposal, including Messi, Inter Milan striker Diego Milito, Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano and Real Madrid pair Angel di Maria and Fernando Gago.

Veteran Javier Zanetti – a former Argentina captain – is in line to make his 139th appearance for his country.

Portugal, meanwhile, have selected a full-strength squad to take on their Latino cousins, with a recall for Besiktas winger Ricardo Quaresma perhaps signalling an intent to attack from manager Paulo Bento.

The skilful former Porto man – who can infuriate and delight in equal measure – will face stiff competition for a place in his country’s midfield, with Bento also naming Manchester United’s Nani, in-form Liverpool goalscorer Raul Meireles and Zenit St Petersburg schemer Danny in his squad.

But the main interest in the game will centre around the battle between Messi and Ronaldo – even if Bento was keen on playing the marquee match-up down.

Both players have been in superlative form for their La Liga clubs this season, with Messi having struck 37 times for Barcelona in all competitions and Ronaldo scoring 32 for Real Madrid.

“For me, it is not just about Ronaldo against Messi, but above all about Portugal against Argentina – individual duels are for the fans (to enjoy),” Bento at the unveiling of his squad.

“We have to bring out the best in Ronaldo within a team dynamic, and ensure they cannot do that with Messi.”

“We want to win and play well. It is an important game to prepare the key qualifier against Norway in June.”

Portugal sit second in Group H of Euro 2012 qualifying, but have further friendlies – against Chile and Finland in March – before they resume their campaign against Norway.

Argentina take on the United States in March, but perhaps already have one eye on their hosting of 2011 Copa America in June and July.