• Hit hard by economic stagnation and inflation, Argentina put hardships aside to watch Lionel Messi and his team take on France
In a working-class neighborhood of dirt roads and broken sidewalks, Pablo Martinez wore the white and blue jersey of the Argentina national team to grill chicken at a soup kitchen that runs to help families struggling amid the economic crisis. does.
Mr Martinez said with rapidly rising inflation and economic stagnation pushing 43% of the population into poverty, the number of hungry children in his cafeteria on the outskirts of the capital is rising. The daily hardships he and his neighbors face in a poor barrio are leaving a lasting impression.
But there is one bright spot these days: Mr. Martinez and the customers of Park Leprechaun Kitchen are feeling the excitement of watching as La Seleccione, led by phenom Lionel Messi, pulls off one team after their inauspicious start and reaches the tournament. Defeated. Final set for Sunday.
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"It gives me goosebumps, forgive me if I'm getting emotional," Mr. Martinez said in a trembling voice as he cleared away the thick smoke from the grill. malaise that we are living."
For Argentina, everything is at stake as the team, also known as "La Albiceleste" for the white-and-sky-blue colors of the country's flag, faces off in Qatar against a powerful rival.
France and Argentina are both looking for their third World Cup titles. But beset by the protests and political scandal that has characterized life in Argentina recently, fans say they are praying for a victory that will lead to a raucous celebration, which is very welcome in times of hardship. It is necessary.
"We need joy because we have it so bad," said house painter Adrian Villagra, 42, who has sought food at the soup kitchen, which feeds a few hundred families each week and is partially financed by a local goes. soccer team. "We are worse off than ever, and soccer and La Seleccione help us forget our problems."
Inflation is expected to end near 100%, and labor strikes continue for higher wages. With the government's approval rating near 18%, President Alberto Fernandez tweeted that he planned to watch the final match from home. I will enjoy this wonderful moment with my people. The best of us will have fantastic fans on the pitch and in the stands."
The Argentine players in Qatar have recognized the importance of their mission. Team goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said after the Netherlands beat Argentina, "Because of the economy, the country is not going through its best moment, so giving people happiness gives me the most satisfaction." "We have grit and heart, and we do this for 45 million people."
This is a country where sport is often compared to religion – and the faithful have never been more engaged than during the World Cup. Argentina have not won it since 1986, the year before Mr Messi was born.
Signs of a captive country are everywhere: Argentina's striped flags hang from balconies along Buenos Aires' broad avenues. Street vendors sell Macy's jerseys. Jumbotrons have been set up in parks in major cities across the country for crowds to watch the matches. And police in the capital are set to close 9 July Avenue, to make room for fans who will gather at the iconic obelisk to celebrate Sunday's victory, as they do after elections and other sporting events.
Looks like the finals, is anyone talking about this weekend.
"It's better than having a girlfriend," said Lucas Moreno, a 22-year-old grillmaster at a restaurant.
In the run-up to the finals, some schools sent students home during matches and businesses closed. Alejandro Peraci said he closed his motorcycle-parts shop to watch every Argentina match, which he compared to national holidays.
Now, the final is near and Mr. Peraci, like countless Argentines, is on edge.
"On Monday, we'll go back to routine, life will go on, but at least we'll be happy" if his team wins, he said. "We will struggle, but if we win, the happiness will last for four years."
Winning may be everything to Argentina fans, but there's one more aspect of the final that Argentina have the edge over: will superstar striker Messi, age 35 and possibly playing in his last World Cup, bring home the trophy on his fifth attempt ?
The match could settle debates from the pages of sports tabloids to bus stops and tango bars about who is the greatest Argentine footballer of all time: Mr Messi or the late Diego Maradona. The on-field similarities between the two are startling: the small, speedy attacker is known for a notoriously lethal left foot, while wearing the number 10. Boo.
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