Argentina Fans Go to Great Lengths to Support Their World Cup Title Defense

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — As Argentina launched its title defense at the World Cup on Tuesday, fans displayed an unparalleled level of passion and dedication. Some supporters traveled nearly 11,000 miles (17,700 kilometers) by bicycle from South America to Kansas City, Missouri, without securing tickets in advance. Others made a grueling 20-hour drive, subsisting on sandwiches to cut costs. Daniel Otero, a 73-year-old veteran of seven World Cup tournaments, is investing around $100,000 for himself and his two sons to follow the team throughout the competition. “We are crazy for Argentina,” Otero expressed. “That’s why we spend so much money to see our country, our national team.”

The excitement was palpable as Argentina faced Algeria, filling the stadium with fervent supporters. The team is led by the iconic Lionel Messi, who is approaching his 39th birthday and may be participating in his final World Cup. “Argentina now is like the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan,” remarked Juan Martin, 43, from Buenos Aires. “In his prime, he had fans around the world. Argentina has fans around the world with Messi.” Martin, along with his girlfriend Agostina Gomez Uvia, has budgeted about $20,000 each for their month-long adventure following the team.

Otero is spending a staggering $40,000 just on tickets. He and his son, Franco Otero, 27, were impressed to see U.S. families donning Argentina jerseys with Messi's name on them. Franco noted, “I can't remember an Argentinian team without Messi.” Manuel Valdes, a 29-year-old engineer from Corrientes, who traveled with family, echoed this sentiment, asserting that Messi has significantly transformed the sport. “There’s a before and after in football,” he said.

In the stadium parking lot, 11-year-old Andre Cornuz from Miami helped his father hang a flag from their van. Nearby, the group Los Sin Entradas (Those Without Tickets) prepared to perform, attracting attention with a large banner that read “Lio Te Quiero” (I love you, Lio) alongside a photo of Messi. “I have been raised with Messi,” Andre shared, explaining his strong connection to Argentina through family visits.

Kansas City organizing committee chief Pam Kramer marveled at the lengths fans have gone to in support of the three-time World Cup champions. She recounted how local fans stepped in to help the cyclists who arrived without tickets. “We want people to see what we see, that this place is pretty special,” Kramer said. Hours before kickoff, the excitement was evident as fans lined up to enter the stadium. Jorgelina Skorput, 34, from New York City, expressed her enthusiasm for the match, having driven for two days and spent $2,000 on her trip, including an $800 ticket. “I felt like this is the only time, the only opportunity I’m going to get to see the World Cup,” said Skorput, who emigrated from Rosario, Argentina, at age nine. “We’re the last champions.”