Ariel Fernando Garcia talk to a Russian journalist. He makes a gesture. He walks the corridors. Telling stories. He draws comparisons between Argentine characters and European royalty. The businessman bought -together with his two brothers Diego and Damián- the mythical chalet of Devoto that Diego Maradona He gave it to his parents when Boca bought his pass in 1981.

At that time, Dieguito fulfilled the dream of his whole life: to give Doña Tota and Don Diego a roof. Today, hundreds of Argentines make theirs: he watches the final match of the World Cup in the same place where Pelusa used to live. In the historic house of José Luis Cantilo.

“I found out they were going to tear it down. I asked a friend for Adrián Mercado’s phone number and told him ‘you’re screwing me over, they can’t bring him down‘. I borrowed money from a friend and signed it the next day, ”the 47-year-old businessman told this reporter. The decision was an impulse. He He wanted to keep this post and give it to people.

Starting with Argentina’s second game, against Mexico, Ariel made the house available to Devoto’s neighbors for an unrivaled experience.. Watch the matches of the national team at Diego’s house with barbecue, aperitif and swimming pool. All free. “Of course, you don’t drink alcohol here,” insists the businessman who donated 270 kilos of barbecue.

During the tour of the two floors of this brick house that does not hide the passing of the years, one can see everywhere blue and white flags, paintings by Doña Tota, insignia of the Maradonian Church, replicas of the World Cup and posters

Two hours before the start of the match, the meat was already on the grill and the three giant screens broadcast the preview of the match. People took over. Everyone had their place. The party atmosphere dominated the scene.

“When I bought it, I found boxes with photos. And a lot of stuff,” says Ariel, who wants to do something non-profit with this mythical house. She searches her head for an idea, but she hasn’t defined it. “This house is the people’s house. This is for all to see. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

Ariel did not want the house to be torn down. She found out they were going to tear it down and that’s why she bought it. She pays for all the roasts out of her own pocket. Even the water. She doesn’t want there to be alcohol. No bars. Ariel and his friends control everything. “You have to entertain carefully,” she says.

In an analysis of the World Cup, the host is sincere: “With Diego it was also all suffering. I see this World Cup very similar to that of 1986. I’m amazed by the new generations who didn’t see him play and love him so much”. “Today we will become world champions. Forget. We have Diego helping us from above, ”he says with the gesture of looking at the sky from the room where Maradona slept. Through these walls the energy is different.

Grisel Álvarez is a neighbor of Devoto. For years the property was closed and the people of the neighborhood could hardly talk to a few grim-faced guards. But when he discovered that he could watch the national team matches from this place, he didn’t doubt it.

“My brother came against Croatia with my mother and my son. And they were very happy with the generosity of the people. And today we wanted to repeat it”, he tells this reporter, offering him the pastry.

“You feel that there is a good atmosphere and climate. There is no alcohol, there is no violence. My mother sent me videos and I was afraid that before a goal everything would go out of control. But nothing ever happened “.

Messi’s first goal, a penalty kick, blew up the inhabitants of this parallel Fan Fest. But it was a cry of relief to ease the tension of the week. There was still a long way to go.

However, the second goal, that of Di María, was shouted with heart and soul. People at the pool. Hugs between strangers. And a cry in unison: “We’ll be back, we’ll be back, we’ll be back again, we’ll still be champions, like in 1986”, they began to sing in chorus.

Camila Micaela Broder (21) is from Entre Ríos, Paraná, El Palenque. She is working in Buenos Aires. She is a model for the Susana Scalvinoni agency. You came to experience the World Cup with Juliana González (20) at the home of Diego Maradona. “I didn’t go to Qatar, but here I am. I think it’s better. We visited the house and it’s inexplicable. The energy. I arrived from Entre Ríos on Friday and I never thought I’d be here. It’s amazing walk the corridors Same thing I saw on TV. But experiencing it is different. I can’t believe it. Not even my family can believe it,” she says.

The bass drums, flags, pennants, trumpets and vuvuzelas recall the blue and white atmosphere in Diego Maradona’s house. The start of the second half attracted the attention of the lucky ones. Only 45 minutes separated them from a World Cup.

For every clearance from Dibu, every header from Otamendi, every advance from Fideo and every dribble from Messi dodging his Azzurri rivals, these fervent fans broke their hands with applause. The older ones were happy because it would be their second World Cup. The younger ones were amazed because they would have finally seen their national team lift the World Cup live and from the same synthetic grass patio where Diego Maradona rested with his family before moving into the famous apartment in Segurola and Havana.

France’s flurry of goals, which equalized within two minutes with ten remaining, was an injection into the chant of the fans who, far from being intimidated, began to shout louder than before. “You always have to suffer. The fucking mother”, shouted a fan with the shirt Maradona wore at Italia 90. He didn’t lack reason.

47 million people were dumbfounded and anxious watching the stretch. One goal each and a monumental save by Dibu Martinez shouted like a goal at the end of the game. In the legendary home of Villa Devoto, Diego Maradona prayed during the penalty shoot-out.

Public television outlet announced “ARGENTINA CAMPEÓN!”. And the swelling exploded. With great fanfare, strangers embraced, couples kissed and parents shared with their children, with laughter and tears, a memory that will remain forever in their memory.

Their triumph was celebrated. The anthem was sung. With selfies and photos, the pogo ended up in the pool. It was sung by the team and they remembered the British. And then, for hours repeating the same refrain over and over again. The one that gives goosebumps to more than one person: “And Diego, we see him from the sky. With Don Diego and with Torta, encouraging Lionel”.

The accidents at Diego’s house

After Argentina won the World Cup, there were some incidents outside Maradona’s house. América TV cameras showed the image of a man covered in blood during an attempted robbery. Although there was no alcohol in the Diez house, as the hours passed some fans who had drunk drinks passed and caused problems but, according to what Ariel Fernando García told Clarín, the situation did not worsen.