Argentina fans revel in Messi’s Miami homecoming before Cape Verde match | World Cup 2026

Miami, United States – Singing to the beat of the drum, leaping and dancing with joyful abandon, sporting their well-known mild blue and white shirts, and waving giant flags bearing photographs of their heroes, Argentinian soccer followers have introduced their workforce’s arrival in Miami in grand style.

A day earlier than Argentina’s first knockout match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 – and their first fixture within the Sunshine State – the portion of Miami Seashore often called Little Buenos Aires got here to life as near a thousand revellers equipped for Lionel Messi’s “homecoming” on Friday.

The defending champions and one of many pre-tournament favourites will tackle the fairytale workforce of the World Cup – the small African island nation of Cape Verde.

The match at Miami Stadium will pit a workforce supported by one of many largest travelling fan bases of the event in opposition to an outfit that will not have robust backing within the stands however has endeared itself to the neutrals with its heroic performances.

Amongst Argentinian supporters, although, there’s no room for sympathy for the workforce punching above its weight.

For Adrian Elizondo, the logic is straightforward: “Messi deserves to win one other World Cup.”

“It’s Messi’s final World Cup and since he’s the best participant of all time, he deserves to stroll away with one other trophy,” Elizondo advised Al Jazeera.

Elizondo believes there’s extra to Argentina’s success than Messi.

“We’ve got good gamers, a fantastic coach and tens of 1000’s of individuals supporting the workforce. We make a giant distinction.”

A fast look on the party-like ambiance in Miami Seashore strengthened Elizondo’s declare.

Miami, the place Messi has been enjoying his membership soccer since 2023, is house to not less than 30,000 Argentinians, based on native census knowledge.

Add to this combine one other 20,000 followers following the workforce on their quest to defend the title in the USA and it turns into evident that Miami is “Messi Nation”.

The gang in North Seashore, which is house to a number of decades-old Argentinian eating places and cafes, began constructing greater than 24 hours earlier than kickoff and confirmed no signal of letting up because the night went on.

Followers, from toddlers to supporters of their 70s, have been seen strolling in the direction of the central space in Little Buenos Aires.

A small pocket of fanatics would start singing “Muchachos” – the well-known Argentinian soccer anthem – and lots of of others would quickly take part.

Whereas the lyrics converse to the heartbreak of misplaced World Cup finals and previous heroes, the temper amongst followers was festive, particularly as Messi and Co broke a 36-year title drought 4 years in the past in Qatar and emulated his hero Diego Maradona in main them to a World Cup trophy.

For Argentina followers, Maradona and Messi are generally thought of the grasp and the protege. It’s a part of their footballing folklore which is strengthened at each alternative.

In Miami, as males, girls and kids danced on the streets, a bunch of supporters dressed within the shirts of Argentinian soccer membership Newell’s Outdated Boys proudly stood in entrance of a banner connecting the 2 nationwide heroes with the membership.

Jorge Martinelli travelled to Miami from Rosario, the membership’s base, together with his buddies and proudly shared some details about his hometown.

“Messi was born in Rosario and performed in Newell’s youth groups earlier than becoming a member of Barcelona, whereas Maradona got here to the membership in 1993,” he tells Al Jazeera.

Is there another connection between the 2 iconic captains? Martinelli mentioned: “Sure, it’s a cosmic connection.

“Many right here imagine Maradona is guiding the workforce from the heavens above,” he quipped.

Amid Martinelli’s rationalization of the non secular connection between the 2, followers let off crackers to have fun Miami’s favorite footballing son’s return to his adopted house.

The Rosario resident mentioned he doesn’t wish to ponder a future after Messi retires from worldwide soccer.

“It should create a giant gap within the nationwide workforce, the identical as what occurred after Maradona,” he mentioned.

For now, although, he believes Messi is the favorite to do what even the nice Maradona couldn’t obtain: efficiently defend the title.

“He [Messi] is right here. He’s enjoying. Maradona is watching.”