don't go where i can't follow

Lately I’ve seen so much hate directed at Argentina that I just wanted to say something.

It’s completely okay to criticize a player, a referee, or even a team’s performance. That’s part of sports. What isn’t okay is taking the actions of a few people and using them to define an entire country.

I’ve seen people claim Argentina “bought FIFA,” that every referee decision is somehow proof of corruption, or that our victories aren’t deserved. None of those claims have ever been supported by evidence. Argentina simply doesn’t have the kind of political or economic influence people online seem to imagine. If any country could realistically influence an organization on that scale, it certainly wouldn’t be Argentina. Sometimes referees make mistakes that benefit us, and sometimes they don’t. That’s football.

I’ve also seen countless comments calling all Argentinians racist or xenophobic. Every country has its own problems, including mine, but reducing an entire nation to stereotypes based on a few people or on oversimplified TikTok videos about Argentina and its history is unfair. Argentina has a unique history and demographic makeup, and our country is far more diverse and complex than social media often makes it seem.

Another thing I’ve seen over and over is people calling Argentinians arrogant, entitled, or saying we’re “too proud.”

I honestly don’t understand why being proud of your country is considered acceptable for some nations, but not for ours.

When people in other countries celebrate what they do well, they’re called patriotic. When Argentinians celebrate football, suddenly we’re arrogant.

We’re proud because football is a huge part of our culture. It’s something generations have grown up with, something we’re passionate about, and something we’ve dedicated ourselves to for decades. Our national team has earned its success through talent, hard work, and determination. Being proud of that doesn’t mean we think we’re better than everyone else it simply means we’re proud of something we’ve achieved.

Even after finishing second in the world, people all across Argentina went out into the streets to celebrate. Not because we believe second place is better than first, but because we’re proud of this team and everything they accomplished. Supporting your country through victories and defeats isn’t arrogance it’s love.

I also want to briefly mention the Malvinas

I’m not trying to turn this into a political post, but I think it’s important to explain why that banner meant so much to so many Argentinians.

The Malvinas War was one of the most painful moments in our country’s history. It is something we grow up learning about, something that still hurts many families, and something we haven’t forgotten. Many of the soldiers sent to fight were only 18 and some were even younger when they were called up. Many never came home.

Whether people agree with Argentina’s claim or not, that pain is real. It is still part of who we are.

That’s why seeing a banner saying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” carries so much emotion for many Argentinians. I understand why some people saw it as poor sportsmanship, and they’re entitled to that opinion.

But unless you’ve lived through that history as an Argentinian, it’s difficult to understand what that moment meant to many people watching at home especially veterans and the families of those who fought. When that banner was shown after the match against England, it wasn’t just a political statement to them. It was a reminder that the sacrifices made during one of the most painful chapters of our history have not been forgotten.

If FIFA decides that deserves a fine, then so be it. For many Argentinians, it was worth it because it encouraged more people to learn about the history behind the Malvinas and why they still matter so much to us.

Despite everything that happened, I don’t hate people. They’re individuals, not the decisions of governments decades ago. But I also don’t think Argentinians should be expected to forget what happened or pretend that chapter of our history no longer matters. It does. It always will.

As for today’s match, Spain played a fantastic game. Congratulations to them. I also think there were moments where the referee could have called some fouls differently, but that’s football. Every team has decisions go for them and against them, and once the final whistle blows, the result stands.

I’m proud of my country, and I’m proud of our team. Not because I think we’re perfect, but because they’ve worked incredibly hard to get where they are.

You don’t have to support Argentina. You don’t even have to like us.

But please judge us fairly not by stereotypes, misinformation, or viral videos that oversimplify who we are as a country.

And remember this:

Argentina is one of the few countries where you can look up at the sky… and see its flag.

QUIÉN NOS HABLA AQUÍ DE OLVIDO, DE RENUNCIA, DE PERDÓN?

Creo que no somos conscientes de lo normalizado que tenemos esto.