From the scornful Diego Maradona to the world-famous Lionel Messi, Argentina has long inspired devotion at home and abroad, as well as anger, envy and hatred from rivals.
For some fans following this FIFA World Cup, the calculation has become simple: support whoever plays against Argentina. In all competitions, that has meant wearing the green of Algeria, the blue of Cape Verde, or the red of Switzerland. Even the oft-maligned England found a boost in pledges of support on social media last week ahead of their semi-final clash. And in the final on Sunday, July 19 (Monday, July 20, Manila time), it could mean taking off Spain’s red shirt.
Argentina is one of the most successful and recognizable national teams in football, but it is also one of its most divisive. From Diego Maradona to the world-famous Lionel Messi, the Albiceleste have long inspired devotion at home and abroad, as well as anger, envy and hatred from rivals.
The story of Maradona
Argentina’s football identity has been shaped by famous international players. Maradona gave Argentina its most unlikely sporting legend, leading the country to the 1986 World Cup title. His two goals against England in the quarter-finals – the famous “Hand of God” and a solo run later voted “Goal of the Century” – remain at the center of Argentina’s football narrative.
The memory of the “Hand of God” goal still hurts many English fans, while Argentines often see it as part of a larger story of defiance and revenge after the Falklands War of 1982, in which Britain controlled the disputed island.
After Argentina’s 2026 World Cup semi-final victory over England, players held up a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”), referring to the long-running dispute over the islands, in violation of FIFA rules banning political statements.
The Messi effect
Lionel Messi gave Argentina a different kind of icon to Maradona: quiet in public, but with greater international reach and longevity. He won almost every major honor at club level with Barcelona, becoming the face of the big team, although that success made him the target of rival fans.
His rivalry with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo added another layer, dividing international football into Messi and Ronaldo camps.
After years of being compared to Maradona and booed for failing to deliver a major tournament title to his country, Messi led Argentina to win the 2022 title in Qatar. Its continued existence has made Argentina a destination for many interested parties, including India and Bangladesh, many miles from Argentina. But others are fed up with the narrative of Messi and the praise surrounding him.
Difficult neighborhood
Argentina’s image in Latin America is complicated. The country has long seen itself as culturally diverse, shaped by a strong European influence and a football culture that often treats victory as proof of national uniqueness. That self-assurance is sometimes admired, but in parts of the region it also feeds the stereotype of Argentine pride.
Fans of many nations use the tournament to show national pride with dances, flags and songs, but Argentina’s fandom can seem extreme at times.
And that nationalism can turn into an uglier area. An Argentine television host earlier this month called Mexicans “disgusting” and accused them of envying Argentines “not just in soccer, in everything,” said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called it “outrageous.”
In those stadiums, some fans still sing an offensive song that mocks the African origin of many French players, a song that Argentina’s players in 2024 apologized for after singing it. Other incidents involving racism or riots by Argentina fans have been shared on social media or complained about by other supporters.
Detailed competition
Argentina’s biggest competition is with Brazil, born of decades of rivalry between two of South America’s most successful nations. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Argentina supporters chanted, “Brasil, decime que se siente” (Brazil, tell me how it feels), mocking the locals while cheering Argentina’s progress.
Tensions between Chile increased after Chile beat Argentina in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals, both on penalties. Mexico and Argentina have also developed a high-profile football relationship, fueled by frequent World Cup meetings and social media discussions about the game.
Argentina’s style of play – defined by elegance and guile – can be fun to watch but is also seen by some as against the ethos of fair play.
For some fans, “anyone but Argentina” has become the default tournament position. – Rappler.com
