The other bar of the national team in Qatar: the ritual of Bati, Crespo, Pupi and company, an encouragement present in every match

The national team has fans in Qatar 2022. It is known that the Argentines have conquered Arab soil and they are felt in every flag and in every game in which Lionel Messi and company play. But there is another fan base beyond drums, flags and snare drums. A very particular one, with fewer members, but with the strength of an immense history on the playing field and with a national guise. It is the group of younger former players who work here for several international chainsbut when they see Scaloneta playing they forget everything and gather on the stage to shout and sing like any fan.

Gabriel Batistuta and Hernán Crespo weren’t compatible at the same time on the pitch for Marcelo Bielsa, but off the field they share and enjoy themselves in the crowd watching Lionel Scaloni’s side. They celebrate the goals they were able to score in other times with the AFA shield on their chests.

El Bati is the national team’s second all-time goalscorer (54) behind Messi (93). And Valdanito is fourth in that ranking with 35, below Sergio Agüero (42).

They are not alone, next door, rooting like crazy is Juan Pablo Sorín, from his own litter. And Esteban Cambiaso. And Javier Zanetti. And there is also Maximiliano Rodríguez.

They were contemporaries dressed in shorts. Some agreed more than others. But all of them, who have been away from a dressing room for some time now, keep their passion for the national team intact.

This was seen before everyone’s eyes in the 2-0 win against Poland which decreed the ticket for the round of 16 in an image that made those who years ago knew how to enjoy their matches cry with emotion.

All together they celebrated, embraced and even posed for photos of the fans of a generation, that of the thirty-year-olds, who have them as idols. In addition to the fact that world champions are also present (Burruchaga, Negro Enrique, Giusti, Bochini, Kempes, Fillol, Pumpido, Bertoni, among others), who have been invited by FIFA and are permanently recognized. that goal but which has always defended the shirt with pure football and heart, both in the Copa América and at the World Cup, leaves its mark in Qatar.

Everyone came for work. The only one who lives in this country of the Arabian peninsula is Crespo, as he is currently the manager of Al-Duhail, a local club. Anyway, he was hired by ESPN as a columnist, like Kun Agüero. And they have exclusivity with said sports chain.

Sorín is on Telemundo and Telesur, Zanetti on Univisión, Batistuta on BeIN Sports (a Qatari company), Maxi Rodríguez on Telemundo and Mundo Leo, and Cuchu Cambiasso is a FIFA ambassador, but has also collaborated on television abroad.

During the day to day everyone is in their work. However, there’s time to also get together to play some mince and reminisce about the old (not-so-old) days of loot and the aroma of wet weed. Be careful that even the paddle tennis challenges come out dog-faced.

They are the other fans of La Scaloneta. Those who until recently were inside the green rectangle are now enthusiastic, fanatical and support the national team from outside. eternal idols of a generation that will always keep them in an important corner of its heart.

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.

GL