A photo is currently going viral in Brazil. It shows Lamine Yamal in a Brazilian jersey. The caption reads, ”Confidence for Brazilian football.”
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Traditionally, South America supports its own continent's team, no matter which team reaches the World Cup final. Perhaps this World Cup will be an exception. From the goose story found on social media to the critical sentiment among football fans in general, it is clear that not all South American fans are on Argentina's side.
A photo is currently going viral in Brazil. In it, Lamine Yamal is wearing a Brazilian jersey. The same Yamal's goal will be to defeat Argentina in the final. Under the photo, it is said, 'Trust for Brazilian football.' Brazil and Argentina have long had a long-standing rivalry in football, that too at a high level.
The personal confrontation between Pele and Maradona has further fueled it. Not only that, football fans in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and other South American countries feel that the team that loses in Sunday's final will be Argentina. Even when Argentina won the World Cup for the third time in 2022, a similar sentiment was seen in South America, against Messi's team.
Colombian social researcher Germain Gomez says, “The mutual understanding and brotherhood between South American countries is broken in football.” According to him, it may be the influence of social media, but many South Americans believe that FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino also played a role in Argentina’s journey to the final.
Football fan Francisco Santos, who is walking around with a Brazilian flag in Sao Paulo, says, “Argentina reached the final because of the referee’s help. If Brazil cannot win the World Cup for the sixth time, I think Spain should win for the second time. I don’t want to see Argentina win the World Cup for the fourth time.”
Recently, this 42-year-old Brazilian supporter has become an opponent of Argentine football.
Whatever critics of this World Cup believe, decisions have been made accordingly to make Argentina’s journey easier. It could be about red and yellow cards or the opportunity to award penalties. Many people say that FIFA is supporting Argentina. That is why it is considered difficult for their opponent team.
Juan Camilo, a 28-year-old finance employee from Bogota, says, “Our support will be for Spain.” Antonio Lopez, a 51-year-old police officer in Mexico City, considers Lionel Messi a legend in world football. But what he says is, “If the referee does not help, Argentina will not be able to win the World Cup for the second time in a row. I will only support Argentina if the referee does not help.”
Mexican President Claudio Senbaum was recently asked who he will support in the final? His answer was, Spain. Mexican professor Jorge Negro believes that football is also involved in politics in the current situation and says, “Politics is the main reason why Argentina has so many opponents in South America. That is why the current situation is unbelievable.”
Some Argentine players and fans are also seriously accused of racism. Not only that, but there is also opposition to the way Argentine fans treated a black French player. This may be why there are fewer supporters of Argentina in South America. Whatever the reason, such rivalries make football more exciting.
