Argentina and the World Cup

The Argentina National Football Team has a lot to prove during the 2014 World Cup and their first win over Bosnia and Herzegovina didn’t do much to advance their cause. They were not impressive as they struggled to beat an underrated Bosnia club. Lionel Messi admitted as much when he deadpanned “We must improve.”

But I’m not here to analyze the team; I’m here to chat about Argentina’s fans. Its been said that Argentina fans are among soccer's rowdiest and most violent and not above screaming about politics to anyone who will listen. Maybe, but maybe not. Not quite hooligans but certainly not saints. 

50,000 Argentines are believed to have made the trek from all points south to Brazil with the intent of supporting their team and raising a little hell along the way. Argentina and Brazil have a long history of friction and as a result have a complex relationship. Brazil is bigger, richer and generally dominates soccer in South America. Argentina is, well, Argentina. Dictators, corruption, a permanently teetering economy, open class warfare, and above all, the warmest, most fun loving people you would ever want to meet. The combination of the two cultures isn’t necessarily a conflict as it is competition, like a lively sibling rivalry.

Argentina does have reason to be a little more cocky this year in that they have a legitimate shot at going all the way after a long, 30 year dry spell. They also have a history of magic moments that can turn a game around in a moment like Diego Maradona's memorable "Hand of God" goal in a key quarterfinal match against England in 1986. Whatever the thinking process, Argentine fans are now taking every opportunity to remind the Brazilians that they too have won the World Cup and will do it again this year.

As we move through the series, pay attention to crowd shots from the stands, from street scenes, and from Rio de Janeiro's iconic Copacabana beach. Look for any group of rambunctious fans wearing the signature blue and white shirts. When you spot them you can bet they’ll be giving everyone within earshot a speech on Argentine superiority and the futility of Brazil’s hopes. And they’ll be doing it with a smile.

2014 Argentina Team Autographed World Cup Home Jersey

This Adidas Argentina 2014 World Cup Home Jersey has been personally hand signed by Angel Di Maria, Ezequiel Garay, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Fernando Gago, Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Martín Demichelis, Maximiliano Rodriguez, Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Sergio Romero.