The World Cup “did not start in November”

The Argentina National Team lifted a new title after many years of “drought”. It was against Brazil in the Copa América in 2021 and later against Italy in the Finalissima 2022. Scaloni’s squad inspired hope in the Argentine people once again, and a feeling of a potential victory in Qatar 2022 started to spread through the football circle. Actually, most fans visualized that coveted trophy as the perfect culmination in terms of sport.

Such a vibe in time spread through festivities, plans and chats with friends. “This is our World Cup!” was heard among fans, as well as the expression “I cancel the jinx!”, a type of “incantation” to help make this dream come true.

Another exceptional ingredient was related to Christmas decoration. While Argentinians traditionally like to put up Christmas ornaments in early December, this time the customary red and green were replaced by our flag’s light blue and white in every store, home and street posters in the country.

Rituals of Good Luck

If you thought that the word “Jinx” was most peculiar, get ready for a list of crazy rituals surrounding each match. These rituals of good luck are personal contributions made by each fan in order to achieve the victory of the team. Let me illustrate this with an example. When Argentina was defeated in its debut match against Saudi Arabia, a number of changes were made in most households across the nation ahead of the next match, in the hope of creating better luck: wearing a different outfit, sitting somewhere else in the house to watch the match, choosing a different kind of food, sharing the moment with someone else, among dozens of other rituals that may even start 24 hours ahead of the great event.

Did that ritual work in the match against Mexico? Yes, indeed! Thus, from then on, everybody was supposed to stick to that “lucky” ritual when watching the Argentine team play. Myth or reality? Nobody knows for certain. However, what we all know now is the result…Argentina became the World Cup Champion!

The matches, day by day

Throughout the country, several spaces were opened for people to enjoy watching the matches on huge screens, while the chants became a daily thing among the enthusiasts – unsurprisingly, one of La Mosca’s (Argentine rock band) greatest hits ranked number one in record time, after it was turned into one of the most popular chants sang.

At the time of the matches, the largest cities might well have turned into the perfect set to shoot a film about zombies, as the streets were virtually deserted. Only the shouts in unison reminded us that there was still life in the city.

Fan Fest – Buenos Aires

Tattoos and Promises

You only need to look at the different social networks to validate that: Di María and Dibu Martínez, the first to get a tattoo of the Football World Cup. Not surprisingly, hundreds of fans have followed suit and imprinted their bodies with this unique sports feat. Options to suit every taste! Some will make a big impact; others only amuse with the scarce resemblance to the protagonists. Whichever the size, the tattoo artist or the image chosen, everyone is eager to treasure this memory forever.

Promises also had their share in the celebrations. Some of the most popular have included head shaving, hair painting, visiting the temple of some popular saint, giving up alcohol or going on a diet.

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Street Parties

The long-awaited Cup finally came, and so did Argentina’s frenzy. Ranging from the Antarctic base, the several meeting points in the United States, Australia, France, Italy and many other places across the world, to the multitudinous celebration in Buenos Aires. And it wasn’t an only-Argentines event. Hordes of tourists arrived in the capital city to experience the euphoria of a world champion first-hand. The celebrating crowd was also joined by the immigrants who feel at home in this country and, naturally, by TV reporters and the classic curious onlookers.

The atmosphere was one of joy, and regardless of the nationality, age or football team, every single person could join the celebration and the many songs alluding to the triumph. Though most pictures show the obelisk as the most emblematic meeting point, every barrio, town, city or park hosted a merrymaking crowd of fans.

Oddly enough, the roughly 4 million people who joined the street parties in the city center used no public transportation, also aware that they would have no easy way to get back home. Nothing else mattered: the adrenalin and happiness surpassed it all.

Street Parties in Buenos Aires

The Argentine Team’s Arrival

The squad reached the capital at 4 in the morning, and, given the large number of welcoming enthusiasts along the way, a usually short journey took hours on end.

The official caravan was scheduled to start at midday. Yet, when it comes to celebrating, the Argentines need no agenda. With over 5 million people out in the streets (the most multitudinous celebration in history, in terms of sports), only few managed to see the squad. And though the players were able to witness the intensity of the welcome, they never reached the Obelisk. Eventually, it became utterly impossible for the open-top bus carrying them to move forward and the World Cup heroes had to be rescued by helicopter.

December 18 2022 will stay in the heart of every Argentine. And the holiday season was the perfect occasion to watch and live once again the final match in the company of the loved ones, with heartfelt toasts to the victory and the many alluding songs that are likely to become ever-lasting hits.

Obelisk – Buenos Aires