“Messi is bigger than rivalry”, “Only player that makes everybody break the rules” - Fans react as Brazil supporters cheer Lionel Messi at Maracana 

Brazil fans put their rivalry with Argentina to one side to cheer Lionel Messi ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier tonight (November 21).

Fans at the Maracana were seen holding a poster of the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, a testament to just how significant Messi's heroics were to the football world.

It's somewhat unfathomable that Brazilian fans would show support for Argentina but Messi has united fans. The 36-year-old starts for Lionel Scaloni's world champions against Brazil tonight.

Lionel Messi will play against La Abiceleste's long-time rivals for the first time since winning the World Cup. Surprisingly, many Selecao fans were supporting the Barcelona icon on his quest to win the World Cup.

One of those was Real Madrid icon Rivaldo. He urged the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to win the international tournament in Qatar once his nation were eliminated (via FIFA's official website):

"We no longer have Brazil or Neymar in this cup final, so I'll stay with Argentina. No words for you Leo Messi. You already deserved to be world champion before."

Brazil fans' support for Messi will likely die down once the game kicks off at the Maracana. The iconic forward has managed five goals against Argentina's CONMEBOL rivals during his career.

One fan insisted that the 2021 Copa America winner is bigger than rivalry:

"Woww, Messi is bigger than rivalry tbh."

Another gave a similar sentiment:

"The only player that makes everybody break the rules."

Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to Selecao fans supporting Lionel Messi:

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The late great Pele wanted Lionel Messi to win the FIFA World Cup

Pele sadly passed away on December 29, 2022.

Pele's daughter Kely Nescimento revealed last year that her father was backing Lionel Messi to finally win the World Cup. His beloved Brazil were eliminated in the last 16, losing to Croatia. She posted on Instagram (via GOAL):

"After Brazil’s loss, everyone who entered that hospital room (all day and every day until the end!!!) used to ask my father, ‘What’s up Pele? Now who do you want to win? Of course NOT Argentina!!’"

She added:

"And he said, ‘Argentina yes! This cup must stay in South America and Messi deserves it’. Everyone pretended (and sometimes not) to be horrified!! HOW?! Argentina!? And he just said ‘yes, Messi deserves it’.”

Messi brought the illustrious trophy back to South America and did so in style. He bagged seven goals and three assists in seven games during the World Cup in Qatar. Argentina's all-time record goalscorer joined Pele and Abiceleste icon Diego Maradona as a World Cup winner.