he concluded.
The Brazilian journalist Julia Duailibi, known for her political commentary in O Globo, took a different approach last Thursday by expressing her reluctance to support Argentina in the World Cup final. In her column, she shared, “I have always been an admirer of the hermanos [as Brazilians affectionately call Argentinians] and would have loved to cheer on a fellow South American team,”
This sentiment reflects a growing trend in Latin America, where many individuals openly support Spain in the upcoming final. While the racism exhibited by certain Argentinian fans is a significant factor, it is not the sole reason behind this shift.
Nicolás Cabrera, an Argentinian sociologist and anthropologist, observed that support for European teams over Latin American ones has become more common in recent years. “But I admit that the racist scenes involving a minority of the fans, and the silence of the majority on the pitch, turned my stomach.” he noted.
Previously, this tendency was primarily seen in Argentina’s traditional rivalries, particularly with Brazil, but it has now expanded to include fans from Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador. Cabrera remarked, “In the past, people were more likely to support a Latin American team against a European one, but that has changed quite a lot in recent years,” pointing to Argentina’s dominance in recent World Cup tournaments.
Argentina has emerged as the most successful national team in Latin America, reaching three of the last four World Cup finals and clinching at least one title. Meanwhile, neighboring countries like Brazil have faced earlier exits, with Brazil last reaching the final in 2002.
The presence of Lionel Messi, a global football icon and standout player in this World Cup, also contributes to Argentina’s prominence. Cabrera noted that the increasing frequency of club matches, especially in the Copa Libertadores, has intensified fan rivalries and rivalries across borders. “Rifts began to appear for several reasons,” he explained.
It has become commonplace for matches between Argentinian and Brazilian clubs to see videos emerge of Argentinian supporters making offensive gestures. This troubling trend is not new; a 1920 cartoon depicted Brazilian players as monkeys prior to a friendly match. Recently, several Argentinian tourists have been arrested in Brazil for racially charged insults, highlighting a serious issue that spills over from club football into international tournaments.
During a recent World Cup match, an Argentinian tourist was filmed making monkey gestures towards a Black Brazilian. Although he faced no immediate consequences, the incident has sparked outrage and discussions about racism in sports. Cabrera pointed out, “As our teams play each other more often, fans start winding each other up,”
Controversies extend beyond Brazil and the stands. Following Argentina’s 2024 Copa América victory, players were heard chanting racist and homophobic remarks directed at the French players they had defeated in the previous World Cup. Additionally, an Argentinian journalist recently stirred anger by expressing hatred towards Mexicans on a television program, prompting condemnation from Mexico’s president.
Despite acknowledging the racist incidents involving some Argentinian fans, Brazilian historian Fábio Luís Barbosa dos Santos expressed his unwavering support for Argentina in the final. “Hate speech, racism, xenophobia and discrimination began to circulate in ways that had previously been more marginal and less visible.” he stated, citing Spain’s colonial history and recent cases of racist abuse targeting Brazilian player Vinícius Júnior.
Santos emphasized the historical ties between Argentina and Brazil, noting, “I know Brazil is not a model in this respect either, that we still have a long way to go when it comes to racism, but at least our legal framework is far more effective than theirs,” He contrasted the political landscapes of both nations, highlighting the similar challenges they face.
He is not alone in his support for Argentina. João Felipe Jr., a 32-year-old ride-hailing driver, plans to travel 270 miles from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo to watch the final at a bar established by Argentinian fans. “If the issue is racism, then you couldn’t support Spain either,” he recalled, dismissing conspiracy theories suggesting that Argentina received favoritism from FIFA.
“because we are countries bound together by our colonial past, by dictatorships and now by the far right”
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