Argentina legend Mario Kempes is convinced that with Lionel Messi back in the fold, the Albiceleste have enough quality to beat Brazil in Thursday's crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier in Belo Horizonte.
Argentina have not won against their arch-rivals in Brazill since Claudio Lopez's goal gave them a 1-0 triumph in an international friendly at the Maracana stadium in April 1998.
"This is the best national team that Argentina has had and will ever have," Kempes told Cadena Ser radio. "We have the best player in the world but we have to take advantage of that.
"Argentina has never been able to convince itself that it can win in Brazil. For some reason we have always struggled.
"We have never beaten them in [a competitive game] on their own soil."
Brazil have won their last four qualifiers, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one in the process.
Messi missed Argentina's last three qualifiers with a groin injury but will captain the team at the Mineirao stadium with his side desperate to get back in contention for a qualifying spot.
Argentina dropped seven points in three consecutive games without the Barca star to drop to sixth in the South American group, five points behind leaders Brazil after 10 rounds.
The top four teams go through to the 2018 finals in Russia while the fifth-placed side qualifies for an intercontinental playoff for another berth.
"We can't blame coach [Edgardo] Bauza," Kempes said. "Right now we are not heading in the right direction but I think he has the means to pull Argentina out of this situation.
"I always say that the South American qualifiers are the most difficult of all. You can't make mistakes because you are out."
Kempes, who was top scorer in the 1978 World Cup to help Argentina win the title, says Argentina must change their approach if they are to have a chance of qualifying.
'If Argentina plays the way that they are playing now, depending so much on Messi as they are, we will not qualify for the World Cup," the 62-year-old said.
Messi heads into the encounter in impressive form, having scored one goal, his 500th for Barca, and set up another in his club's 2-1 win at Sevilla this last Saturday.
"He is the best player but we need to help him by having players around him," Kempes said.
Kempes believes that luck has not been on this Argentina generation's side.
The nation's defeat on penalties against hosts Chile in the Copa America Centenario this summer marked their third straight final loss at a major competition in a two-year span, with the first coming at the 2014 World Cup against Germany. In those three finals, Argentina did not lose or concede any goals inside 90 minutes.
"We can't forget that these players did the hard thing which was to reach three finals," Kempes said. "To reach a final is the most difficult thing and they did that three times.
"But we are missing that luck that you need to become champion. We lost twice on penalties and against Germany [2014 World Cup final], we fell 1-0 in extra time."