Cabals in football are, for many fans of this popular sport that moves the fibers of passion like no other, like a religion. If something has been done and the team has won, you have to do exactly the same for the next one. Clothing, food, location of objects or even people watching the game… All is well in the crazy world of cabuleros. Flags too, of course.

The thousands of fans who accompany the national team to this World Cup in Qatar 2022 are clinging to everything to give encouragement and good energy to the team of Lionel Messi and company. Even to cabals. For this, a few hours after the decisive crossing this Wednesday against Polandat the end of group C, they organized the flag already traditional in the same place as the previous one, when he won Mexico (before the first it was located in the waterfront area, called corniche).

The setting is the picturesque market of souq waqifin downtown Doha. There, on the esplanade, fans from different parts of the country, and some from around the world, hung their flags. Among restaurants and the curious glances of tourists who smoked from their hookahs (the popular water pipes), another blue and white party was set up.

The curious thing is that there, a few meters from the more than a thousand Argentines who painfully irritated their throats with pure songs, a small group of Saudi Arabia decided to do one smuggling. And they sang a hit in their own language of which at one point only the word “Messi” could be understood. Then one explained the whole verse: “And Messi, where is he?!”, was the one loaded. It’s logical, they continue to celebrate the historic triumph on their debut against Argentina, regardless of the fact that their national team then lost against Poland.

In any case they did not last long because they failed to prevail over the albiceleste mass that raved with the “moving here, moving there, this is the craziest band ever”. The hit of “Brazil Tell Me How It Feels” with appropriate modification of the letter to adapt it to the context: “Having your father in Doha…”.

At the top of a platform, wave your hands, sing and jump in an Argentine Viking cap holy. She is 7 years old and is Qatar’s figure of the night. A few days ago he went viral for his speech to Messi on a mobile TV. And he also backs up the cabal: “Messi, I love you and you have to score a goal to beat Poland and qualify for the round of 16 so we can win the World Cup”is the message it sends to 10 via clarion.

Santi is accompanied by his father, older brother, uncle and cousin. They are all from Buenos Aires but live in the United States and come together in another must have of the fan repertoire: “Many guys, now we are excited again, I want to win the third and be world champion.”

Among the many foreigners who become Argentina fans, there is one very special one. Maher comes from Lebanon, has Messi’s shirt, but proudly displays his country’s flag. “I’m a fan of Argentina because of Maradona and because I love the Argentine people. I also love my partner”explains in English.

The sweet aroma of hookah fills the air. The Tula hype, after rumbling for almost two hours non-stop, stops. There is a close with pure applause and a closing argument. The cabal was respected. If it will have any effect when the ball starts rolling it is already what is mandingo.

What is certain is that it reaches players through social networks and media and works as an extra motivational boost before the moment of truth.

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.