Why are Argentine citizens so excited about winning the World Cup?

ArgentinaThe extraordinary excitement of the citizens over the national team's World Cup victory is the result of a combination of profound emotional factors, far exceeding the scope of an ordinary sporting triumph. It is not merely "winning a game," but rather a nationwide emotional release and a historic achievement.

Argentina last wonWorld CupBack in 1986, when it was led by legendary starMaradonaHe led the team to victory. Afterwards, Argentina experienced a 36-year championship drought, reaching the finals four times but falling short of the trophy each time.

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Thirty-six years of waiting: The timeline from Maradona to Messi

Key moments in Argentina's World Cup journey:

• 1986: Maradona led Argentina to their second World Cup title.
• 1990: Lost to West Germany in the final, finishing as runner-up.
• 1994: Maradona's doping scandal ends Argentina's run in the round of 16.
• 1998: Lost to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals
• 2002: Eliminated in the group stage (worst result in history)
• 2006: Lost to Germany in the quarterfinals
• 2014: Lost to Germany in extra time in the final, with Götze scoring the winning goal.
• 2018: Lost to eventual champions France in the Round of 16.
• 2022: Defeat France in the final to win their third World Cup title.

This timeline not only records match results but also carries the hopes and disappointments of generations of Argentinians. The 2014 Brazil World Cup final was particularly heartbreaking—Argentina was defeated by Germany's Götze in extra time, missing out on the championship. After that match, Messi's gaze at the World Cup trophy became one of the most heartbreaking images in Argentine football history.

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The poignant moment of Messi's ultimate coronation and the end of an era.

For Argentinians, the 2022 victory was not only a victory for the national team, but also a perfect ending to Messi's personal journey. Messi's national team career has been full of controversy and challenges, experiences that deeply resonate with the emotions of the Argentine people.

Key milestones in Messi's national team career:

• 2005: First appearance for the Argentine national team
• 2006: First World Cup appearance, eliminated in the quarterfinals
• 2007: Lost to Brazil in the Copa America final.
• 2014: Lost to Germany in the World Cup final.
• 2015 & 2016: Two consecutive Copa America final defeats (the latter saw Messi announce his retirement from the national team).
• 2021: Finally led Argentina to win the Copa America.
• 2022: The final piece of the puzzle is completed – World Cup champion.

Especially after another defeat in the 2016 Copa America final, a disheartened Messi announced his retirement from the national team. This decision sparked a nationwide movement to keep him, with "#NoTeVayasLio" (Don't go, Messi) becoming a trending hashtag on social media, and tens of thousands of Argentinians taking to the streets to express their support for Messi.

「MessiHis journey resonated with the Argentinian sense of self-identity—a man of immense talent yet repeatedly thwarted, burdened with enormous expectations yet repeatedly disappointed. His perseverance ultimately paid off, making every ordinary Argentinian feel that their own perseverance had meaning.

This is the most crucial and touching factor.

• The perfect ending of "The Last Dance"This is widely considered to be Lionel Messi's last World Cup. He has won every possible club honor, lacking only a World Cup title to complete the "final piece of the puzzle" in his legendary career. All of Argentina, and countless fans around the world, yearn to see what this arguably greatest player of all time achieve.
• The hopes and protection of the entire nationArgentinians regard Messi as a national treasure; his dream is the nation's dream. Seeing him endure 16 years and five World Cups of hardship (including a near miss in 2014) to finally reach the pinnacle at the end of his career—a fairytale-like happy ending—moved everyone. This was not just a victory, but the best reward for the long and arduous journey of a national hero.

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Overcoming adversity and demonstrating the victory of national spirit

Argentinians greatly admire stories of rising up in adversity.

• The dramatic "upset at the start"In their opening match of this World Cup, Argentina suffered a shocking 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia, a major upset. Starting with immense disappointment and doubt, the team fought their way through the competition to ultimately win the championship, a process that greatly enhanced the drama and emotional impact of their story. It symbolizes the resilience of "climbing from the bottom to the top," perfectly embodying the Argentine national spirit of "Never Give Up" (Garra Charúa).
• The power of a united teamThis team has demonstrated unprecedented cohesion. They not only revolve around Messi but also support each other, withstanding pressure multiple times in extra time and penalty shootouts. This spirit of unity has deeply moved the nation.

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Celebrating as a social equalizer

The celebrations following the World Cup victory demonstrated a rare level of social cohesion. In Argentina, a country plagued by severe economic inequality and extreme political division, football became one of the few factors that could unite the entire nation.

In the celebrations in Buenos Aires, residents from the wealthy northern district and those from the impoverished southern district waved the same flags together; Peronists and anti-Peronists embraced each other; people of different ages, classes, and political stances celebrated together in the streets.

This temporary sense of social equality has a powerful psychological compensatory effect. People who experience social division and economic hardship in their daily lives gain a rare sense of unity and belonging through collective celebration.

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The narrative of small countries defeating powerful ones

As a South American nation, Argentina often feels marginalized on the international stage. Winning the World Cup—the world's most watched sporting event—offers a narrative of "small country triumphing over the world."

In particular, the fact that the final opponent, France, was a former colonial power and a member of the G7 inadvertently reinforced this narrative. Argentine media generally described the victory as "talent over resources" and "passion over calculation," catering to a long-held national self-perception.

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The collective release in the post-pandemic era

The 2022 World Cup was the first World Cup after the COVID-19 pandemic. Argentina had experienced a long period of strict lockdown and social distancing, resulting in a significant build-up of social and emotional needs among its citizens. Large-scale celebrations provided a rare opportunity for collective release.

A study from the University of Buenos Aires showed that mental health indicators in Argentina improved significantly during the World Cup, with consultations for depression and anxiety decreasing by approximately 30%. This large-scale collective celebration produced a significant therapeutic effect.

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It brought long-awaited joy and hope to the nation.

Argentina has faced extremely severe economic and social challenges in recent years. Compared to the setbacks on the field, the country's domestic economic difficulties added a deeper emotional dimension to this victory. According to data from the Argentine National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INSEE), the country's inflation rate in 2022 was close to 1001 TP3T, the poverty rate reached 39.21 TP3T, and the peso's exchange rate against the US dollar plummeted by 4001 TP3T over the past four years. Against this backdrop, football became a collective mechanism for emotional escapism.

"People need symbolic victories more when real life is full of uncertainty," explains Carlos Elisard, a sociology professor at the University of Buenos Aires. "World Cup champions provide a sense of national pride that temporarily overshadows the difficulties of daily life."

This phenomenon has precedents in Argentine history. In 1978, Argentina won its first World Cup title during the military government era. Despite the country being in a serious political crisis and human rights issues at the time, the football victory still became an emotional outlet for the entire nation.

• Safe haven from economic hardshipArgentina is suffering from immense economic pressures, including inflation exceeding 1001 TP3T, severe currency devaluation, and a rising poverty rate. Daily life is filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
• A brief moment of forgetfulness and pure joyThe FIFA World Cup provided a month-long "safe haven" for the entire nation. It allowed people to temporarily forget their troubles and immerse themselves in shared hope and passion. The ultimate victory injected the country with a powerful, long-awaited sense of joy and pride—a collective emotional experience that money cannot buy.

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Football is part of Argentina's cultural DNA

In Argentina, football is far more than just a sport. It's a core element of national identity. Argentina is a country built by a large influx of European immigrants, and football became a crucial tool for constructing a unified national identity in the early 20th century.

Historian Diego Amador points out: "The formation of Argentina's modern national identity was almost simultaneous with the development of football. In the early 20th century, when we were still thinking about 'what it means to be Argentinian,' football provided an answer—a blend of passion, creativity, and resilience."

This deep cultural connection allows national team victories to transcend the realm of sports, becoming a form of national self-affirmation. The blue and white striped jersey has almost become the unofficial national uniform; on national team match days, almost everyone from the president to children in slums wears the national team jersey.

• national beliefFootball is at the heart of this country's culture and an important part of its identity. It permeates every corner of social life.
• The inheritance of a glorious historyArgentina is a country with a deep-rooted football tradition (having produced legends like Maradona), and they have extremely high expectations and emotional investment in the World Cup. Winning their third title, especially after a 36-year hiatus, has brought them back to the top of the world, allowing them to shine alongside their predecessors in glory – a sense of honor that is unparalleled.

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An epic final

The very process of the final amplified the emotional intensity. The dramatic nature of the 2022 final greatly amplified the emotional experience. Argentina led 2-0, seemingly having victory in hand, only to be pegged back by France's Mbappe, who scored two goals in 97 seconds to equalize. In extra time, Messi regained the lead for Argentina, but Mbappe equalized again. The final penalty shootout brought the match to its climax.

This rollercoaster-like emotional experience produces the psychological phenomenon known as "emotional polarization"—the greater the emotional fluctuation, the stronger the eventual release. Neuroscience research shows that such extreme emotional experiences lead to a sharp increase in dopamine and endorphin levels in the brain, producing a strong sense of pleasure and belonging.

• "The greatest final in history"This final against France was a rollercoaster of emotions, arguably one of the most exciting finals in World Cup history. Argentina led 2-0 at one point, only to be equalized by Mbappe's two goals in 97 seconds; Messi scored in extra time to put Argentina ahead again, but Mbappe equalized again with a penalty.
• An extreme emotional rollercoasterThe fans' emotions fluctuated between ecstasy, shock, despair, and hope, pushed to their limits. Ultimately, the victory in the penalty shootout transformed this extreme emotional experience into a complete, hysterical release.

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Summarize

The excitement of the Argentine citizens isPersonal sentiment (Messi's dream come true),National spirit (turning adversity into victory),Social needs (escaping real-life suffering) andCultural beliefs (football as a national treasure) existAn epic matchCatalyzed by these events, a nationwide emotional tsunami was unleashed. This was not merely a sporting victory, but a historic moment that carried countless individual dreams, national glory, and collective solace.

The Argentinians' extreme excitement over their World Cup victory is actually a profound process of national psychological healing. It is not only a sporting victory, but also a compensation for long-term setbacks, an affirmation of national identity, and a temporary bridging of social divisions.

The 36-year wait imbued this trophy with extraordinary emotional weight; the economic crisis provided a backdrop for escaping reality; Messi's personal journey offered a vehicle for identification; the dramatic nature of the match amplified the emotional release; and the profound football culture provided the rituals and language for expressing this emotion.

When Argentine citizens flooded the streets, they were not merely celebrating a match victory, but participating in a collective healing ritual, rediscovering national pride and social cohesion through football. This emotional force was so powerful that it temporarily overshadowed the difficulties and divisions of daily life, reminding people of their shared identity and common hope.

"This is more than just a victory in a game; it's a renewed embrace of our country. The challenges remain for tomorrow, but today, we are all winners."

This profound emotional resonance explains why a gilded trophy can bring tears of joy to an entire nation, and why hope and dignity can be found within the blue and white ribbons. In an era fraught with uncertainty, Argentina's World Cup victory reminds us that sports can sometimes offer more than just entertainment; they can be a powerful source of collective meaning and national healing.

Further reading:

• The story of Lionel Messi: From Rosario boy to football legend