The definition of the word ‘passion’ is a strong feeling or liking for something or a barely controllable emotion. However, the definition falls short, as there is often no control over Argentinians’ emotions regarding soccer.
Argentinians’ passion for soccer is renowned and deeply rooted. The reasons why they are so obsessed with the sport are the following:
- History of soccer in Argentina
- Creole soccer: Argentinian style of play
- Soccer culture in Argentina
- Iconic Argentinian players
Table of Contents
- History Of Soccer In Argentina
- Creole Soccer: Argentinian Style Of Play
- Soccer Culture In Argentina
- Iconic Argentinian Players
History Of Soccer In Argentina
When British immigrants arrived in Argentina in the 1880s, they aimed to develop the railroad infrastructure. However, what they brought with them became one of Argentina’s most precious assets: soccer.
The British workforce used every opportunity they could spare to play soccer. While on a break, they were always kicking a ball.
The local Argentinians found this pass time very strange at first. As you can predict, they did not remain perplexed for long.
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) started in 1893, with the first president being a Scottish teacher called Alexander Watson Hutton. Hutton was a teacher at St Andrew’s School in Buenos Aires in the 1880s, where he also coached soccer before heading the AFA.
Meanwhile, in 1867, British railway workers Thomas and James Hogg established the first soccer club, the Buenos Aires Football Club, making it the oldest soccer club in Argentina. More British immigrants started founding clubs after that, with many still competing.
The founders of these clubs excluded Argentinians from joining, both as players and members. However, it didn’t deter the locals but motivated them to establish their clubs and play a different soccer style from their British counterparts.
The more support the Argentinian clubs gained from their people, the more the British soccer style declined.
As the popularity of soccer grew, so did the Argentinian government’s understanding of the value of the game for the nation. The most ardent supporters between 1946–1955 were President Juan Perón and his second wife, Eva Perón (fondly known as Evita).
President Perón used soccer to gain control of the masses, which worked since his support gained him unrivaled popularity among the working class and impoverished communities. He even created his publication, Mundo Deportivo, and effectively used soccer stadiums as a political platform.
The historian, Raanan Rein, refers to this period as a ‘sports festival due to the new role of the State in sports.’ This support increased Argentinians’ passion for soccer and their political leader.
Between 1976-1981, Argentina went through a period of turmoil under General Videla. His horrific dictatorship was marked by human rights violations, persecution, censorship, and torture, with thousands of Argentinians ‘disappearing’ under his reign, deaths he later admitted.
During this time, Argentinians’ passion for soccer grew more potent as it allowed them a temporary escape from their country’s troubles and ignited happiness and excitement.
Creole Soccer: Argentinian Style Of Play
Unlike the then-British style of soccer, which was more about physicality and discipline, ‘futbol criollo’ (i.e., creole soccer) was the Argentinian approach.
The style was a more elegant and exciting way of playing that focused on keeping the ball at your feet like glue. It also concentrated more on individual players’ skills, movement, and trickery.
The ‘criollo’ game is incredibly captivating and exciting to watch, which contributed to the popularity of the game. Many players adopted this style of play, even in the modern-day soccer era.
The legendary Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are two of the most iconic players that have perfected ‘futbol criollo.’
Soccer Culture In Argentina
Soccer in Argentina is more than a culture; some say it is even like a religion or a cult.
Unsurprisingly, soccer is the most popular and most-watched sport in Argentina. On match day, regardless of which city you’re in, life comes almost to a standstill.
Families sit around tables at home, anticipating the match, discussing the game, and making predictions. People in pubs and restaurants all await the starting whistle, gunning for the best seats in the house.
Once the game starts, you see and hear Argentinians’ intense passion for soccer. People at home and in public venues loudly chant and sing the same songs they’ve been singing for decades, with their arms swaying in unison.
Every Argentinian has a team they support. If not, it is heavily frowned upon, as this passion is passed down from generation to generation.
In Buenos Aires, for example, you can even take a tour to experience the passion and love of soccer. A typical tour includes:
- Walking the streets on matchday.
- Eating chorizo bread from a street vendor.
- Seeing the entire city (including traffic) coming to a halt to allow the thousands of spectators to walk to the stadium.
But there is a downside to the passion for soccer in Argentina. Sometimes, the emotional commitment to soccer reaches the level of ‘barra bravas’ (violent soccer hooligans).
Most countries have eradicated soccer hooliganism, but in Argentina, many still believe these groups control the sport, equivalent to the mafia’s influence.
At the last World Cup in Qatar (2022), the Argentina authorities listed approximately 6000 people that weren’t allowed in the stadiums because of hooliganism. Many of them have affiliations with politicians, the police, journalists, and the owners of soccer clubs. This influence allows them to manipulate ticket prices, club paraphernalia sales, and players.
Iconic Argentinian Players
Argentina’s passion doesn’t only come from history, culture, playing style, or the performance of their national team. It also gets spurred on by soccer legends, like the giant M&Ms, i.e., Maradona and Messi.
Argentina has many other soccer role models, like Gabriel Batistuta, Hernán Crespo, Oreste Corbatta, Claudio Caniggia, and Mario Kempes. Yet, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are the two most prevalent regarding the number of global supporters they have earned.
Maradona, the god of soccer according to Argentinians, got the nickname D10S; the 10 denotes the number on his shirt, and the ‘D’ and the ‘S’ make up the Spanish word ‘dios,’ meaning ‘god.’ It might be a creative play on letters and numbers, but many Argentinians believe Maradona to be holy.
Maradona even referred to the illegal goal he scored with his hand during a World Cup (1986) as the “hand of god,” where the English pundits call it the “finger of the devil” instead. Labeling a player as a god goes beyond mere support for soccer but shows Argentinians’ extreme passion for soccer.
Messi is the next Argentinian soccer player to receive a heavily loaded title, as currently the best player in the world. Some argue Christiano Ronaldo shares this title, yet Messi supersedes his Portuguese rival in that he has a World Cup title (2022) behind his name.
