Many football supporters across Latin America will back Spain rather than Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final, breaking with the tradition of regional solidarity amid growing concerns over racism and intensifying rivalries.
The shift marks a significant change from previous tournaments, where fans typically supported fellow Latin American teams against European opposition. Argentina, who have reached three of the past four World Cup finals and lifted at least one title during that run, enter the match as the continent’s most successful national side. Star forward Lionel Messi, 39, remains central to their campaign.
However, a series of controversial incidents has eroded goodwill. Racist behaviour by some Argentinian supporters has been widely documented, including monkey gestures directed at Brazilian fans and abuse aimed at US influencer IShowSpeed during the semi-final against Cape Verde. The issues extend beyond the terraces; players were filmed chanting songs of a racist and homophobic nature following their 2024 Copa América triumph.
Regional Tensions
Nicolás Cabrera, an Argentinian sociologist based in Rio de Janeiro, observed that “rifts began to appear for several reasons”. While Argentina’s traditional rivals Brazil, Uruguay and Chile have long rooted against the Albiceleste, the sentiment has spread to Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador.
Cabrera attributes this partly to the expansion of the Copa Libertadores, which has grown from around 20 teams in the 1990s to nearly 50 today. “As our teams play each other more often, fans start winding each other up,” he noted. Social media has compounded the issue, with discriminatory language now circulating more visibly than in the past.
Legal and Social Context
Unlike Brazil, where racial insult constitutes a criminal offence, Argentina lacks specific legislation that explicitly criminalises racist abuse. This legal distinction has drawn criticism, particularly after several Argentinian tourists were arrested in Brazil for racial insults whilst others escaped sanction.
Brazilian journalist Julia Duailibi captured the mood in a column for O Globo, stating that racist scenes involving fans “turned my stomach” and prevented her from supporting the “hermanos”. Her comments follow televised remarks by an Argentinian journalist who declared he hated Mexicans “with all his soul”, prompting Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum to call the comments “outrageous”.
Divided Loyalties
Not all observers have been swayed. Brazilian historian Fábio Luís Barbosa dos Santos maintained he would still support Argentina, suggesting that historical colonial abuses meant Spain should face similar scrutiny regarding racism.
The divisions highlight how footballing success has coincided with a complex reputational challenge for Argentina as they seek global glory.