Alexis Sanchez hangs out with Chile legend Marcelo Salas ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier with Brazil

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Alexis Sanchez and Chile are gearing up for a huge clash with Brazil on Wednesday and the Arsenal man took time to get some inspiration from La Roja legend Marcelo Salas.

Sanchez took to Instagram to share a photo of himself and the former Juventus forward at his team's training base in Sao Paulo on Sunday morning.

'If we do not support Chileans among us, nobody will do it for us,' he wrote alongside the image.

Alexis Sanchez shared this photo of himself and Marcelo Salas on Sunday

Sanchez in action during Sunday's training session in Sao Paulo ahead of their clash with Brazil

A former South American Player of the Year, Salas had a prolific goalscoring record throughout his career with 37 goals in 70 international appearances between 1994 and 2007.

That total makes him the second highest scorer in his country's history, second only to Sanchez himself, who has 39.

And he'll be hoping Sanchez adds to that total in Wednesday's pivotal game. 

The back-to-back Copa America winners go into the match, the last of their World Cup qualifying campaign, with work still to do to secure their place in Russia.

Friday's 2-1 victory over Ecuador means their fate is in their own hands but they are just one of five teams that can mathematically take one of the three automatic qualifying spots that are still up for grabs.

Leaders Brazil have already secured top spot so have nothing to play for other than pride on the night. 

Sanchez (right) hugs team-mate Arturo Vidal after Friday's victory over Ecuador