Argentina is one of the more passionate football countries. Everywhere you go you see people kicking a ball about – you see kids (and adults) in Messi shirts – you see massive portraits adorning the sides of buildings both of Lionel Messi and his mentor: Maradona.

The country is still celebrating their World Cup win and two of those most proud of their achievement are Enzo and Maria with whom I spoke in Buenos Aires.

AD: What does being Campeones mean for Argentina?

Enzo: It means everything. We are so proud and so happy.

Maria: We are a poor country compared to Europe and America, with many problems. The World Cup helps us to forget those problems for a while.

Enzo: For four years, at least.

AD: Were you confident going into the tournament?

Enzo: We are always confident but there was so much pressure, especially on Messi.

AD: I was happy for Argentina to win so Messi could get the monkey off his back. I think many people were glad to see that.

Enzo: Thank you! Yes. It was so hard for him – never having won with Argentina. He can retire happy now.

Maria: But not yet we hope!

Adrian also spoke with Mercedes (wearing her Argentina shirt) down in the snows of Ushuaia.

AD: Argentina didn’t start well in the tournament…

Mercedes: My God! Losing to Saudi. That was almost a tragedy, but perhaps a good thing. It woke the team up and made them stronger and more determined, but nothing ever comes easy for Argentina. We have a tendency to suffer… the economy… the politicians… we have to fight for anything. That’s why we were in tears of joy for Messi. His victory is our victory in more ways than one.

AD: So many good teams were knocked out early – surprised by lesser nations.

Enzo: That was also good for us, as the tournament went on and we didn’t have to play so many traditionally strong teams.

AD: Speaking of surprises – how did you feel in the Round of 16 game against Australia? In the last few minutes?

Maria: Australia were very good.

Enzo: Yes, we were in control of the game, but you scored that deflected goal, and suddenly the Australians were much stronger. They had something to play for and pushed us to the end.

Maria: When that young boy controlled the ball so well and had a chance to score…

AD: Garang Kuol.

Maria: Yes, Kuol. I think usually he would have scored from that position but Eli Martinez made a big, important save.

AD: I understand the Australian team felt they were getting on top in the last few minutes and if that goal had gone in…

Enzo: Extra time would have been hard with Australia having so much belief, but I also believe that Messi would have found the way to win.

Mercedes: Scaloni would have refocussed the team if extra time was needed.

AD: Like he did in the final?

Maria: My God!

Enzo: The final was the greatest day of our lives. So much drama and passion… so many heroes.

AD: A lot of people are calling it the greatest final ever.

Enzo: It was for sure. Two fantastic teams giving everything. Two great champions in Messi and Mbappe both getting some goals…

Maria: And a penalty shoot out. I couldn’t look, but I couldn’t not look.

Enzo: When the last penalty went in, I thought my heart would burst.

Maria: We went to Libertador where hundreds of thousands had gathered. It was amazing… such a party.

Mercedes: It was a big party in Ushuaia.

Enzo: I’ve never seen so many Argentinians so happy, so full of joy.

Maria: All our troubles vanished that day and they’ve not come back.

AD: So how do Messi and Maradona compare?

Enzo: Messi is now the king, but Maradona will always be God. No one compares with God.

AD: Especially the hand of God…

Enzo: (laughing) The English still complain about that, but I remind them there were two goals that day, and the second is probably the best ever to be scored at the World Cup.

AD: I agree. For me, Maradona is head and shoulders the best player ever.

Maria: It was such a shame he died so young. I loved him.

Enzo: I loved him too. I always will.

Mercedes: The game changed so much since Maradona’s time. His drug problem starting from 1994 when he was expelled from the World Cup and all his other problems were very bad for the reputation of Argentinian football. It has taken us a long time to recover and much of that is thanks to Pekerman and the standards he set for the youth teams. Scaloni comes directly from that tradition and is continuing to focus on what is most important, like he did in the final.

AD: The team were not going to let Messi down, even after France came back from two nil…

Mercedes: No. Scaloni and Messi were so important, but it still went to penalties.

AD: An appropriate end perhaps, for the greatest final ever? No-one wanted it to end.

 

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel (Asparagus Grass) will be published by Hague Publishing in early 2023.