They say that football is more than just a game in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On Sunday, that adage woke up in the heart of Buenos Aires.
It was evident on the faces of young people whooping from the top of traffic lights, dancing young girls who had the nation's flags painted on their cheeks, and elderly men who were trying not to cry. When strangers embrace one another. The city's anthems that floated in the air. A mass of people simultaneously beating the drums of victory.
Football is endlessly, trust is infectious.
The South American nation has experienced an outpouring of emotions since Argentina's hard-fought victory over France in the World Cup in Qatar. With profound gratitude to the national team led by Lionel Messi, who was finally able to lift the one coveted trophy that had eluded him, joy and relief are competing. Argentina won the World Cup for the first time since 1986, when Diego Maradona led the nation to victory.
As he looked around at the crowds gathered at the O B-E L-I S C O de B U-E N O S Aires, the iconic landmark of the capital, to celebrate the victory, one man said, "B O N Argentina, B-I-E N."
M-A R-I L-E Oviedo, 32, stated, "It truly is a sensation unlike any other." It brings joy. That is all it is.
Of thousands of individuals moved through the courses of the country's capital towards the pillar, reciting, singing, bouncing and moving under monster banners extended across the width of whole roads.
Paying tribute to Messi and the spirit of Maradona, many believe he was looking down upon them today, anthems echoed off the ornate balconies of S-A N T-E Fe Avenue.
I'm an Argentine! It's a feeling that can't be put into words! They crooned. I'm Argentinian! I am unable to contain the emotion.
The World Cup final was one of the most dramatic ever. The majority of the regulation 90 minutes were dominated by Argentina, until French superstar Kylian Mbappé scored twice in a minute to bring his team level. After a thrilling extra period in which both teams scored goals, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano "D-I B U" Martinez stopped two shots to force agonizing penalty kicks and win the game for his team
In Argentina, where people have been struggling with an economic crisis and inflation of nearly 100 percent this year, the victory sparked a wave of euphoria. For many, the World Cup was a necessary respite from a brutal 2022 that had left people tired and disillusioned. People sang M U C H-A C H O S, A H O R-A Nos V O L V-I M O S an illusional (Boys, now we're excited again) on a loop near the obelisk, climbed bus shelters, scaled the foliage of a huge BA sign, set off fireworks, and so on.
In Messi's old neighborhood of Rosario, neighbors accumulated around his experience growing up at home with banners and horns. On Twitter, President Alberto Fernandez stated that the only words he could use to describe the moment were "Always united, always together"
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