Black Americans Rooted Against Argentina in World Cup Final as Messi Stayed Silent on Racism
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 22
Black Americans Rooted Against Argentina in World Cup Final as Messi Stayed Silent on Racism
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 22
Summary
Many Black Americans backed Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final less out of support for Spain than opposition to Argentina, which the report says had become associated with repeated racist incidents and political baggage.
Those grievances centered on videos of Argentina fans using racial slurs, the team’s post-Copa América racist chant about France’s Black players, and Lionel Messi’s failure to publicly condemn any of it despite his global stature.
The piece also ties backlash to President Javier Milei’s right-wing politics and pro-Israel stance, arguing that racism, politics and silence turned the final into a values test rather than a purely sporting contest.
Spain’s victory is framed as a contrasting symbol through players such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, whose family stories and public stances projected a more diverse, outspoken image of the sport.
Did Argentina's World Cup controversies expose a deeper national identity crisis, making its team a global symbol of rejection?
Will Lionel Messi's silence on racism ultimately overshadow his legendary on-field achievements and redefine his legacy?
As FIFA funds politically-linked peace boards, is its claimed neutrality now just a game of political convenience?
2026 World Cup Final Sparks Global Outrage: Racism, Messi’s Silence, and the Making of a Villain
Overview
The 2026 World Cup Final, held in July 2026, became a major source of global controversy after Argentina lost to Spain. This event sparked widespread anti-Argentina sentiment, especially among Black Americans and international football fans. The backlash was fueled by Argentina’s documented history of racial incidents involving fans and players, and the perception that racism was not properly addressed within Argentinian football. These tensions were amplified by the silence of key figures like Lionel Messi, which helped solidify a 'villain' image for the Argentinian team and turned the final into a flashpoint for debates about racism and sportsmanship.