The love story between Scaloneta and the fans reaches its big appointment: how the preview of Messi’s and the national team’s debut in Qatar is experienced

The love story between the Selection Argentina and the fans finally have their big appointment: the world. The tablecloth is already set, the cutlery, the fine crockery, the crystal glasses, the candles are lit, the music accompanies… The table is set and the atmosphere for this much desired evening after the coronation of the America’s Cup in the marcana It is ideal. Here, in Doha, love for the Scaloneta reaches its maximum expression.

As in all previous games, a desperately anxiously coveted match, the stomach tickles, the hands sweat and it becomes difficult to close your eyes and be able to sleep without first daydreaming about the illusion that unites a country, but also the fans of the others. Countries that in Arab land show blue and white everywhere, more than the colors of the other teams.

And tomorrow Tuesday from 7 am (Argentina time), when Lionel Messi -in their fifth World Cup- and company placed first in Qatar 2022 against Saudi Arabia for Group C in the impressive Lusail Stadium with a capacity of 80 thousand spectators, the wait will end and the moment of truth will begin.

hand in hand Lionel Scaloni this Selection has revived the emotional bond with Argentine football fans. The disappointment after a too traumatic experience in Russia 2018 (eliminated in the round of 16 by France after having spent the first phase in suffering and with internal conflicts) was enormous and a very hard blow to digest for the people, who had gotten hurt.

Against all odds, the rookie coach, who was not in anyone’s briefcase and whom everyone looked askance at first, was rearming the selected team piece by piece until they became a homogeneous group around Messiwho knew how to bring out his best version painted in albiceleste and shout champion once and for all.

Passion blossomed again. This symbiosis affects both sides of this love story, because even the players surrender to the love of the fans and move forward because they don’t want to “abandon” them, as Scaloni points out, the creature’s fatherOften.

The Selection arrives hungry. And with an undefeated record of 36 games (at a distance from equaling the Italian record). Sure, the latest unforeseen turmoil, like last week’s injury loss Joachim Correa and of Nicola Gonzalez (with the anger of the DT through the Inter striker for not blanching his real physical condition) threatened to break the peace in the Argentine bunker. But the ultimate goal is stronger and everyone has set out to turn the page quickly so as not to deviate from this path that has been on the rise for more than four years.

La Scaloneta lights up in Qatar and Argentina and many fans from India and Bangladesh (who are a crowd in the Arabian Peninsula) climb to the top. For this reason, even without having played, Argentina is the leading national team in this World Cup and the one that seems to have the most followers.

In every corner of this exotic territory you can see albiceleste T-shirts. In the majestic and extravagant La Perla district, on Katara beach, on the charming promenade, in the Souq Waquif market… Everywhere there are Argentine shirts or Argentines dressed as Messi fans. But also by the team because Di María, De Paul, I drew Martínez, Lautaro and company also arouse the admiration of those migrants who are desperately looking for the national team.

There is madness following Scaloni’s team. Those who have done everything to be able to cross the planet and get here to encourage it in situ say it.

“To come here I had to sell everything, the car, everything. I worked on what’s not written, but who can take off what has been danced”, says Rodrigo alongside his friend Kevin, from San Miguel del Monte who adds: “Me too the overtime six days a week. It was all for the national team, to raise funds to come”.

Miguel Silio, originally from Gualeguaychú, walks the streets of Qatar with his bicycle. He cycled 10,000 kilometers to see the national team.

There are also those who have quit their jobs. Or those who continue to work remotely with their laptop on their shoulders everywhere. Even in the massive banners that are organized every other day.

“It’s a united team, with good chemistry, who knows what they want and are enthusiastic, that’s why we get excited”, summarizes Santiago very well, who arrived with his friend Rodrigo, both from Buenos Aires. “In this World Cup we have the greatest chances we’ve had in the last ten years”I agree.

Adding to this enthusiasm and trust is Andrés, a 65-year-old from Corrientes whose children gave him the trip: “He made himself loved by the national team. Before we were suspicious, today we are very excited”.

Or Fernando Diz, another fan of San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires, who organized the World Cup trip with his group of lifelong friends (Mariano, Martín and Christian) and who doesn’t hesitate to say that La Scaloneta “has very close, we are sure that this time they will give us”, while showing the flag they brought with Diego and Lionel and which will be displayed in each match.

The World Cup begins for Messi’s team. It’s done. There is no more waiting. The peak of intensity of this mad albicelestial love is now, here in Qatar. Play!

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.