Wild party atmosphere and street party in Buenos Aires after gold goes Argentinian. The World Cup has brought a deeply divided country into economic and political crisis.
– We deserve this! Now I feel elated, says Sandra Lucchesi.
Celebrating Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate the gold medal on Sunday afternoon. Thousands upon thousands stood close together and sang Argentine football songs in the hours after the final.
– We deserve this! Now I feel cheerful! Sandra Lucchesi, 49, says football means everything in Argentina because it is the only thing that unites us.
Argentina is a deeply divided country politically and the economic crisis is driving more and more people into poverty.
But around the city center, the Obelisk, Argentines now dance side by side in white and light blue. Since the country won the World Cup in 1978, it has been a tradition to celebrate national champions and gold on the widest avenue in the center, Avenida 9 de Julio.
– In football, politics and partisanship mean nothing, says Sandra Lucchesi, who watched the game in the apartment with her husband, Ariel Lucchesi, and 20-year-old daughter Ludmila Lucchesi before rushing out.
– What happiness, what joy. Football brings together all Argentines. It’s getting us out of the country’s depression, says Veronica Coronel, who brought her two sons to the massive street party.
But it wasn’t just the economic crisis and 100% inflation that caused headaches for Argentines this year. This month, the country was hit by another scandal when Vice President Christina Kirchner was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption, which she and the president deny.
But this is forgotten today. Celebrating with her friends, Delfina Piznar says she is happy now.
Football is everything to us. There is joy, excitement, happiness and everything. It takes us away from the economic and political crisis we’re going through, which is a good thing, she says.
He had to suffer
While many watched the match at home, the restaurants and cafes in the center were busy during the final. Small groups watched the match on mobile phones along the street. Valeria Diaz and her boyfriend, Julian Hernandez, were among those seated inside the Alma Café outside the Obelisk.
– I’m on fire inside. This is the biggest thing that could happen to me in my life,” said Valeria Diaz, who said she struggled during the second half and the decisive penalty shootout.
– Hernandez, who started crying when Argentina won, said that Messi deserved this more than anyone else.
Behind them inside the café sat a group of four friends. They wiped a lot of tears during the decisive match.
– I’m full of adrenaline. Laura Greggini says my heart jumps out of my chest.
The friends weren’t born when Argentina won the World Cup in 1986, but they feel it was finally their chance to experience World Cup gold and a historic party in the city.
Football means everything in our Argentine culture, says Yamil Barbish.
Victor Cohen, 53, watched the match with his family, whom he had brought on vacation from the US. Cohen has an Argentine father, but he was born in the United States.
– It means everything to me. This is the great aura. I am here for my deceased father and my brother, who also died, says Cohen, who has always felt Argentinian.
There is no other place in the world that I want to see the final than here in Buenos Aires. Argentina screamed to death.
Messi tribute
After Sunday’s final, an area covering 15 by 20 squares was closed to traffic in central Buenos Aires. The street party around the obelisk in the center was held for the first time during the 1978 FIFA World Cup. Then a bloody dictatorial regime took control of Argentina and forbade gatherings in large groups. But the joy of winning World Cup matches was too great, and the Argentines flocked to the obelisk.
The place was also used to gather for mourning, such as when football great hero Diego Maradona passed away in 2020.
Messi deserved to win this for many years. is a legend. This is the best thing that can happen, says Jose Carnet, who celebrated the victory with friends in Buenos Aires.
– That’s really big. Argentina is one of the best countries in the world ever. I’m so proud, that’s great,” says 18-year-old Alexander Alvarin.
