Lucas, Neymar sink Argentina-2011 And Messi Records not his goal

Brazilian starlet Neymar celebrates his side's second goal against Argentina during their Americas Super Classic final at the Mangueirao Stadium on Wednesday.

Two second half goals to teenage forwards Lucas and Neymar inspired Brazil to a 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Argentina in a friendly played only with home-based players in Belem on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Sao Paulo forward Lucas, one of the leading lights in the South American under-20 title earlier this year, capped off an exhilarating run from Brazil's own half with a well-placed shot nine minutes after the break.

Neymar added the second for the hosts in the 76th minute from close range after a low cross from the left from substitute Diego Souza to thrill home fans in the Amazonian city.

While Argentina had virtually no senior players on the field, Brazil were boosted by former FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho and 19-year-old Neymar, who has become a first-choice player in the national team despite his youth.

Brazil missed out on an early goal when Neymar just failed to connect with a cross in front of the goal line. Captain Ronaldinho also had a chance go begging from a free-kick that sailed just over the bar.

Ronaldinho, who has been in fine form for Brazilian championship contenders Flamengo, was recalled to the national side earlier this month for the 1-0 friendly win over Ghana in London, his first start in nearly a year.The former Barcelona forward, a World Cup winner in 2002, is now seen by Brazil coach Mano Menezes as a mentor for the new generation of players being groomed in the leadup to the 2014 World Cup on home soil."It's wonderful to play with Neymar and Lucas, the young talents ... I was called here for that, to give support to these young people," Ronaldinho told reporters, adding that he was targeting a spot on the team for the London Olympics next year as one of the three permitted over-23 players."I go step by step, my dream now is to win the Olympic gold that is missing in my career, and then get really well in the 2014 World Cup," he added.The match in Belem was the second leg of a friendly tournament held annually with only home-based players. The teams drew 0-0 in the first on Sept. 14 in Cordoba, Argentina.

Lionel Messi has dismissed talk of chasing records after the Argentine struck twice in Wednesday's 5-0 Champions League win at BATE Borisov to equal Ladislau Kubala as Barcelona's second highest scorer of all time on 194 goals. As the Spanish and European champions prepare to take on struggling Sporting Gijon in La Liga on Sunday (1800 GMT), Messi said he was not focused on eclipsing top scorer Cesar Rodriguez, who scored 235 for the Catalan club, but merely wanted to perform for the team.

"Cesar is not my goal," the 24-year-old World Player of the Year, who has netted his goals in only 280 appearances, was quoted as saying on Barca's website (www.fcbarcelona.cat).

"It is to do things well in each match," the Argentine added. "I know that I am making history and hopefully I can do more."

Messi already has eight goals in five La Liga games this season, including two hat-tricks, as Barca bid for a club record-equalling fourth consecutive domestic title.

After a couple of away draws they are second on 11 points, one behind surprise leaders Real Betis, who host Levante, also on 11, earlier on Sunday (1400).

Messi made his debut for Barca's first team in October 2004 and became the club's youngest league scorer when he netted against Albacete in May 2005 at the age of 17 years, 10 months and seven days.A string of breathtaking performances has landed him the world's best player award the past two seasons and he has top-scored in the Champions League, Europe's elite club competition, the past three campaigns, when Barca twice won the title and reached the semi-finals.

"What Messi is doing is extraordinary, accumulating these numbers and playing for the team," Spain midfielder Xavi, one of Barca's club captains, said after the BATE game. "Having the best footballer in the world is priceless."Striker David Villa, Xavi's Spain and Barca team mate, added: "Messi is incredible. He will keep exceeding himself. We are just happy to help him out in all this."