Montevideo: Lionel Messi and Neymar will be absent as Brazil and Argentina set out on the road to Russia -- and redemption -- when South American qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup kick off on Thursday. Injured Messi and suspended Neymar are just two of a galaxy of stars who will be missing as the long journey to Russia 2018 begins.


Neymar

Uruguay will be without Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani while Colombia's James Rodriguez is also injured. Brazil and Argentina, the two superpowers of South American football, launch their respective qualifying campaigns still smarting from disappointing performances in the Copa America, which saw Chile lift the title on home soil.