Soccer: Passion of Many

by Lisi Mauch

The favorite sport in Argentina is soccer. In fact, there are many soccer teams and an infinite number of fans for each of them. It is curious how important soccer can be for many people, men and women alike. Some fans can spend hours arguing why their soccer team is the best, why a player did some move, why the coach should or should not be removed from his position or why their favorite team lost the last cup.
Traditionally, the Sunday is a soccer day and thousands of families sit in their living rooms watching a game, whether or not it is their favorite team. Before Sunday, families, friends or co-workers arrange where and when to meet. The ritual starts at lunch, between salami, cheese, bread, and a bottle of beer or a cup of red wine. They start talking about soccer and making predictions about the next soccer game they are going to watch. At dessert time, the most fans settle in the “V.I.P zone,” nearest the TV, watching the pre-game show. Usually, at mate* time, at 4pm or 5pm, the game starts. Some soccer fans are too superstitious, so they wear the same clothes from the last game they won, others prefer to watch it standing up or holding something for good luck such as a crucifix or an amulet. Curiously, they can change their manner of talking and moving. For instance, they yell, curse the opposite team, stand up and sit down again from their chairs, or hold their heads with both hands when the opposite team did a score or when one players of their team made a mistake in the field. At the end of the game, if their team won, they go out and celebrate, but if it lost, they prefer to stay at home and argue the whys.
As a consequence of this fanaticism for soccer, in the last few years, the merchandising of goods has increased considerably. For instance, there are many stores and also people with stands on the streets selling T-shirts, shorts, hats, bugles, flags, wigs and makeup with the colors of each team. Although some people would disagree with me, soccer gives a space for creativity. In fact, numerous songs have been written and also some walls display how artists can be soccer fans. Graffiti related to soccer can be found around the city. Most of them are in areas closer to the stadium.

Finally, some people who don’t have any idea about soccer can talk about it and sound like experts. If not, ask me.

*Mate: is the national drink of Argentina. The Yerba Mate is a green dried leaf, it is a kind of tea that you can find in the international food section of specialty supermarket such as HEB.