By Urša Krenk
A vast majority of Brazilians are going to wear German jerseys and shout their support for the German squad during this Sunday’s World Cup final. A lot of my Brazilian friends say they don’t want Argentina to win, because they are their biggest historical rivals, because Argentines are arrogant and if they win the World Cup, they will keep rubbing it into Brazilian faces for the next 10 years. Most of them agree that Argentina wining the title at Maracanã would be a national disaster.
In the midst of all this I came up with a few reasons why you should, even if you happen to be Brazilian, still support Argentina in the final.
A prominent Brazilian sports journalist tweeting his support for Germany
1) The World Cup is held in South America. It would be nice for a South American country to win on their continent. And when it comes to stats it’s worth keeping one thing in mind: no European nation has ever taken a Cup title on South American soil. This year’s German squad, however, seems to be very good at breaking the stats (Klose’s goals, the highest goal difference ever in semi-final etc.). They might break this one as well.
2) Everyone loves Messi. Admit it, whichever country you’re from, it is hard not to like Leo Messi, the Argentinian wonder boy, who plays for Barcelona. Even Brazil’s star Neymar (whom everyone also adores), Messi’s friend and teammate, said he would support Argentina in the final, because Messi deserves the World Cup title.
3) With another Cup title, Germany gets closer to breaking Brazil’s record. I haven’t though of this on my own, but a Brazilian friend of mine pointed out that he will cheer for Argentina, because if Argentina win, they get their third title, but if Germany win, they get their fourth and thus get dangerously close to Brazil’s five titles. Good old Brazilian national pride.
4) Argentina winning the Cup title in Brazil would be close to a national disaster. Which can be a good thing. If Argentina win, in the midst of their despair, Brazilians might focus more on the problems that their country faces and thing might actually start moving into the right direction.
You’ve only got Pelé, we’ve got God, the Pope and Messi. And soon, maybe even the 3rd World Cup title.
With or without these reasons, if Argentina win this Sunday, for most Brazilians, their victory is going to be hard to stomach. Perhaps even harder than the 7:1 defeat against Germany a few days ago. But such is life. In the end of the day, it’s only football.
