Introduction
Throughout world history, politicians have used sports to promote national and individual agendas. Further, their hold over the past few years has increased, which is evident in Argentina. Among the most popular sports in Argentina is football with Boca Juniors and River Plate as some of the best-performing clubs hailing from the country (Durán et al., 2021). Football serves as a major social outlet, especially for people who are part of Argentina’s diaspora like the United States. In an age of globalization, innovation, and commercialization, football fans can access matches from anywhere at any time. The sport reflects society’s essential aspects, thus, is of considerable relevance to scholars, including historians, sociologists, and political theorists. Most importantly, Argentina football reveals how the sport intertwines with nationalism. Football provides grounds for symbolic competition, which reflects cohesive national pride and identity.
History of Football in Argentina
Argentina is globally renowned for producing among the best football teams. The history of football in Argentina traces back to the nineteenth century (Papeliton, n.d.). Like other countries in South America, British sailors introduced football to Argentina while traveling to the Rio de la Plata basin in the 1860s (Bryce et al., 2022). The sport gradually developed in several British schools established in the country and rapidly spread across Argentina. Thus, football clubs were conceived from these schools and featured English names like Banfield, which persist (Durán et al., 2021). However, none of the clubs has attained success as Boca Juniors and River Plate. Both teams have won almost half of Argentina’s football titles and continue to battle in Buenos Aires to be ranked as the best team during the bi-annual Superclasico (Parrish, n.d.). Boca Juniors and River Plate have origins in La Boca, but the teams diverged when River Plate moved to Nunez in 1923 (Parrish, n.d.). While Boca Juniors remained the people’s team, River Plate represented opulent groups of Buenos Aires. Today, the rivalry between the teams is among the most intense in professional football.
Argentina clubs and their players set a precedent for world football and European leagues. Alfredo di Stefano is among Argentina’s early exports to Europe; he played for River Plate but his greatest debut was with Real Madrid. The success of Alfredo di Stefano and Real Madrid was followed by other wins among European clubs. Despite Argentina’s limited success in professional football, the country asserted itself politically as South America’s progressive nation. Ocampo (2020) mentioned that General Juan Peron’s 1946 election ushered in a new political climate. Peron’s tenure welcomed improved living and working conditions. However, Peron’s government failed to eliminate opposition by suppressing free expression by using political arsenals such as torture and imprisonment.
Moreover, Person’s supporters used football to rally, especially among Boka Junior fans. In 1955, a military coup exiled Peron and banned his supporters from seeking political positions Roniger et al., 2018). Although the populist strain and political regression continued, the military helped stimulate the economy. Peron forced the regime to allow free elections, which he won and his death left his wife, Isabel in the presidential seat (Pappas, 2019). Following a coup d’etat launched by the Argentina military, Isabel Person got unseated, leaving the country under the military’s control. Despite the country’s political climate, football remained a symbolic element for Argentines. However, the wake of General Jorge Videla brought with it the junta, a reign of fear and terror, which resulted in the murder of Argentines and lasted until 1983 (Crenzel, 2018; Module 2, 2021). Amid the political turmoil, the country prepared for the FIFA World Cup.
The Videla junta made significant efforts to eliminate political dissent in preparation for the Cup. An example of dissent came from the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (McFarland, 2018; Papeliton, n.d.). The group included mothers of disappeared or dead political dissidents under the junta. Days before the Cup, the mothers protested at the Plaza de Mayo. When the World Cup commenced on June 1, 1978, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo used the media showcase of the game to gain the world’s attention on the atrocities facing Argentines under Videla’s government (McFarland, 2018; Papeliton, n.d.). Nonetheless, the World Cup was welcomed with much energy with Argentina dominating most of the games. In the final match, Argentina faced the Dutch and won, awarding the country’s first World Cup. The victory articulated courage and capacity among Argentina players in a privileged arena.
Football and Nationalism
The country’s economy stagnated after staging the World Cup and Videla’s regime failed to find sustainable solutions. Under Videla’s rule, unemployment increased and major unions were banned for fear of opposing the government (Anderson, 2019). According to Adamian (n.d.), the reduction of tariffs and cheap imports further affected the Argentine economy. Consequently, the junta launched to invade Falklands to revamp their mandate but were defeated by the British marines, forcing their surrender and leading to free democratic elections in Argentina. During the invasion, Argentina’s football team lost to Belgium as its top player Diego Maradona struggled to help the team stay ahead but eventually failed to beat Brazil and Italy (Gupta 2021; Module 2, 2021). The reinstallation of a democratic government after the end of the dictatorship would bring Argentina back to its feet, particularly in professional football.
Argentina’s national team restored their pride with the 1986 World Cup. With Diego Maradona as its star player, Argentina stayed ahead in most of the matches for the 1986 World Cup. Argentina claimed the championship title after defeating Germany in the final match (Gupta 2021). The win unified Argentines, free from the influence of a military junta. Additionally, beating England in the quarterfinals appeased the military defeat at Falklands in 1982. A new generation of Argentine players took on after Maradona and the most prominent include Diego Simeone, Gabriel Batistuta, and Javier Mascherano. Thus far, the World Cup dominates conversations in national and global spheres. Argentines’ fascination with football transcends the sport itself; the game is much about politics and culture.
Specifically, football in Argentina can be differentiated in various contexts. For one, football is an expression of national identity and the wider world. According to Anderson, “the nation is always conceived as a deep, horizontal comradeship. Ultimately it is this fraternity that makes it possible” (Module 2, 2021). Argentina assumed national identity through teams like Boka Juniors and River Plate, which mirror skillful professional players. For example, uniform kits usually carry national colors in stadiums across the world, with the country’s emblem on the chest, transcending racial differences. Matches bring together fans from fierce rivalries; Argentina’s Superliga is known for its hype and impact on public order. The most recent example is the 2018 Libertadores Cup or the final to end all finals, a match between River Plate and Boca Junior played in Madrid because of the commotion in Buenos Aires caused by the fans (Durán, 2021). The country takes pride in its football achievements as it has become part of its identity.
Furthermore, the most abstract is the effect of the World Cup Championships and its role in reifying Argentineans. In a contemporary world shaped by globalization, commercialization, mass migration, and dual citizenship, the Cup Championships embody national distinctiveness and global sportsmanship. Therefore, the World Cup serves as a contemporary concretization of nation-ness. Football game wins revolve around national pride as individual players like Diego Simeone and Gabriel Batistuta become global icons. When Argentina’s teams become victorious, they win for the home country. The 1986 World Cup-winning team in Argentina is still a national hero, with legendary figures like Diego Maradona. While the Videla junta led to the progressive disappearance of Argentine virtues of courage and capacity, the national team was determined to overcome the political turmoil (McFarland, 2018). The national team won the 1986 Cup title through those qualities that were essential in rebuilding national pride. Football has become an anchor of meaning for Argentines, an embodiment of national and past values.
Conclusion
Nationalism and football have gained important positions in the contemporary world. In particular, nationalism has particularly become more important than ever for Argentina. The importance of football lies in the creation of nation-ness and its role in a world where globalization, mass migration, innovation, dual citizenship, and commercialization have increased. Consequently, politicians widely use sports to influence socioeconomic and diplomatic relations. Despite political turmoil, Boca Juniors and River Plate transformed the face of football in Argentina. People often exercise sovereignty in the presence of solidarity dependent on shared customs and values. Overall, the premise of nationalism is that people’s loyalty to their country surpasses other groups or individual interests.
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