Focus on Futbol Monograph

FOCUS ON FUTBOL

BY SUE HENDERSON

CONTENTS

PAGE 3

NOTES FROM SUE

PAGE 4

WATCHING THE GAMES

PAGE 8

AT THE OBELISK

PAGE 12

EPILOGUE

NOTES FROM SUE

We didn’t know we were going to be in Argentina for the 2022 FIFA World Cup season until we were already there. A friend saw our location on social media and alerted us to the game dates. As it turned out, we were there for two games including the quarterfinal.

To say we were underinformed is an understatement. But we learned quickly. And everything in Buenos Aires was focused on the Cup. Everything.

The obsession goes way back – at least as far as Diego Maradona bringing home the 1986 World Cup championship. Diego passed away in November 2020 and continues to be revered in murals and statues and adoring tributes all over the City but especially in his beloved Boca district. I had an opportunity to survey some locals at a Boca market area as to who was more important –Diego or Il Papa/the Pope? Of 30 asked, 26 strongly replied “Diego” with one young lady, under the watchful eye of her father, whispering to me “Mi corazon Diego” while loudly proclaiming the Pope for her father’s ears.

But when asked who was better – Diego or Messi – it was a different reply. All indicated Lionel Messi was a better player, better man, father and husband. BUT….he could never be better than Maradona unless he brought home the Cup.

WATCHING THE GAME

We had asked a guide where we should watch the games and were told to find a pizzeria between the Plaza de Mayo and the Obelisco. One is the place for negative/revolution/discontent and the other of independence/joy/success. The theory was either way, the crowd would move toward the proper direction. In both instances, we ended up joining the crowds in success.

Both games were seen in small restaurants where the cooks and staff quit working before halftime to come out and be a part of the excitement.

Excellent pizza and local beers were sufficient refreshments. We appeared to be the only non-locals in both cafes and were welcomed to join in.

It was all emotion – from seven to seventy, from men to women, rich or poor, the entire place soaked up every nuance with tears, frustration, panic, prayers, and exuberance for two hours.

It was wonderful.

AT THE OBELISK

When the doors open after a successful game, Buenos Aires floods onto the streets. And all roads lead to celebrations at the Obelisk – the national symbol of emancipation and the site of the first flag raising of the young country in 1812.

Sheer joy. Unable to contain their excitement, all ages were jumping up and down and chanting for the team on the other side of the world. It was a sea of blue and white with the majority of folks wearing the Messi number 10 on their jerseys.

"VAMOS Argentina!"

The Avenue 9 de Julio, 12 lanes wide including bus and vehicle traffic, comes to a complete standstill with over 5000 for the first game and 10,000+ for the quarterfinal, flooding the area. We understood it was over one million for the finals.

They brought their grill to the party. Not to sell but because they couldn't leave dinner and didn't want to miss out being there.

EPILOGUE

As it turns out and you likely know, Argentina, with world class Greatest Of All Time Lionel Messi, won the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

We watched the semi-final and final from the comfort of home wishing for all the world to be in the middle of the passion and love of the Argentinian people as they experienced every minute.