Anti-Argentina sentiment grows across Latin America before World Cup final

WASHINGTON: As Argentina prepared to face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, support from across Latin America appeared fractured, with fans in several countries openly backing the European side instead of the South American champions.

According to AFP, memes, jokes and criticism circulating online underscored a regional mood that has made Argentina an exception to the long-standing tendency in Latin America to rally behind teams from the region when they advance deep into the tournament. One widely shared edited image showed Spain star Lamine Yamal in a Brazil shirt with a caption presenting him as Brazil's hope.

The sentiment extends beyond Argentina's traditional rivalry with Brazil. Fans in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and elsewhere were also described as hoping Lionel Messi's team would lose the final. AFP said a similar pattern had emerged before Argentina won its third World Cup in 2022.

Perceptions around refereeing and FIFA

Colombian sociologist German Gomez told AFP that the previous sense of regional solidarity had broken down. He said the digital age and social media had amplified narratives portraying Argentina as a favorite of FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino.

Brazilian supporter Francisco Santos, who was trading World Cup stickers at a shopping centre in Sao Paulo, said he believed Argentina had benefitted from officiating decisions. He said cheers were heard there when England took the lead against Argentina in the semi-finals. Santos said that if Brazil could not win a sixth world title, he would prefer Spain to secure a second championship rather than see Argentina add a fourth.

Critics cited what they see as a pattern of favorable calls for Argentina, including penalties and disciplinary decisions against opposing teams, even though AFP noted that such rulings have been supported by FIFA and experts. In Bogota, 28-year-old finance worker Juan Camilo Abusaid told AFP that he would be supporting Spain.

In Mexico City, police officer Antonio Lopez described Messi as a legend but said winning with help from referees would be unacceptable to him. At a press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum jokingly asked journalists which side they were backing in the final, and the reply was Spain.

Politics, identity and racism concerns

Mexican anthropology professor Jorge Negroe, a specialist in the social study of sport, told AFP that the tournament had proved highly political. Gomez said that while Diego Maradona had been viewed as a figure who challenged FIFA's power, current narratives cast Messi as FIFA's golden boy.

Domestic politics in Argentina have also fed resentment. In Santiago, 29-year-old agricultural laboratory operator Rachid Sjoberg told AFP he strongly disliked Argentine President Javier Milei and did not want to see him celebrate a World Cup victory.

AFP also reported that Argentine supporters and some players have faced allegations of racism. It referred to a chant previously sung by the team mocking Black players in the French side as not truly French, as well as a longer history of club supporters throwing bananas onto pitches or making monkey gestures toward Brazilian fans or Black players.

During the current World Cup, FIFA condemned racism in a statement after an Argentine fan told Black US influencer IShowSpeed to go cry at the zoo during a livestream.

Messi's response and a divided region

Messi has acknowledged the strong reactions his team provokes. Speaking about Argentina's run, he said the side had once again reached the final on merit rather than receiving favors.

Four years ago, we achieved what we wanted: to play the final and be the best for four years. Once again, we have shown that nobody gives us anything for free, and we have put ourselves among the two best again. Let it hurt whoever it hurts.

An Argentine fernet brand has leaned into the backlash with an advertising campaign built around the slogan We are unbearable, depicting supporters of other teams in a therapy circle complaining about Argentines' intense football passion.

Even as many in Latin America root against Argentina, AFP reported that the team has drawn enthusiastic crowds at training camps in the United States, where supporters chanted Messi's name. Regional backing has not disappeared entirely either. In Lima, 20-year-old student Valentino Tocto said he would support Argentina because it is a South American country.