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Published on 18 Jul 2026
While Latin Americans have been following the region’s soccer teams advancing to the FIFA World Cup, the flood of memes, jokes and criticism has highlighted one difference: Argentina.
In one photoshopped photo that went viral, Lamine Yamal – who stars in Argentina’s last-gasp opponents Spain – is wearing a Brazilian jersey. An insult? “The hope of the Brazilian people.”
Courage continues in the old rivalry between Brazil’s Pele and Diego Maradona’s Argentina: Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and the rest hope for Lionel Messi’s Albiceleste. bite the dust on Sunday.
The same thing happened before Argentina won their third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022.
Colombian sociologist German Gomez believes that “the strong alliance … has broken” with Argentina.
He said the digital age and social media have fueled the “narrative” that the club is favored by FIFA and Gianni Infantino, president of soccer’s world governing body.
“Argentina was supported by the players,” said Francisco Santos, a Brazil fan selling World Cup stickers at a shopping mall in Sao Paulo, where there was a lot of excitement. England scored first against Argentina in the semifinals.
If Brazil could not become champions six times, “I would rather see Spain become champions twice than Argentina become champions four times,” said the 42-year-old.
Critics say Argentina has received it the best phones such as penalties and yellow or red cards against the opposition, even when such decisions have been supported by FIFA and experts.
“We will enjoy Spain,” said Juan Camilo Abusaid, a 28-year-old financial worker in Bogota, Colombia’s capital.
‘Very political’
Antonio Lopez, 51, a police officer in Mexico City, described Messi as a “legend”.
But he added: “If you’re going to sweat and break your back on the pitch to be a double champion, I’ll accept it. If the referees are helping, I won’t”.
At a press conference, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, jokingly asked the media which team they were supporting in the finals.
“Spain! Spain!” he answered.
For the professor of sociology in Mexico, Jorge Negroe, an expert in sports studies, “this World Cup has proven to be very political”.
Colombian sociologist Gomez added that while Maradona was seen as a reformer who faced the power of FIFA, recent news sees Messi as FIFA’s “golden boy”.
Politics has also fueled anger.
“I don’t like Javier Milei (Argentina’s president) at all!” said Rachid Sjoberg, a 29-year-old agricultural laboratory operator in Santiago.
“The thought of them bragging about winning the World Cup if they win is not appealing to me.”
Argentina fans and other players too faced accusations of racism – like the song he played for the team in the past mocking the black players in the French team for not being really French.
There is also a history of club fans throwing bananas onto the pitch or making monkey hands at Brazilian fans or black players.
At this World Cup, FIFA condemned the discrimination in his statement after the Argentinian supporter told a black US man known as IShowSpeed to go “cry in the zoo” during the match.
‘We are unbearable’
Messi himself has admitted to having strong opinions about when a team wins or loses.
“Four years ago, we achieved what we wanted: to play in the finals and be champions for four years. Once again, we have shown that nobody gives us anything for free, and we have again placed ourselves among the best two,” he said.
“Stop this, it’s going to hurt everyone.”
Fernet, Argentina’s most popular alcoholic drink, has taken advantage of anti-Argentine sentiment in a funny way.
Under the tagline “We are unbearable,” it released an ad showing fans from all walks of life sitting around complaining about the unbridled enthusiasm for Argentine football.
While many in Latin America are rooting for Argentina, the team has received a rousing response at training camps in the US, with fans chanting “Messi! Messi!”
But some still accept regional unity.
“I will help Argentina because it is a South American country,” said Valentino Tocto, a 20-year-old student in Lima.
