Why many Black Americans were rooting for Argentina to lose the World Cup | Etan Thomas
-
41'
Yellow card Lisandro MARTINEZ (Argentina) is booked by
-
52'
Yellow card Leandro PAREDES (Argentina) is booked by
-
82'
Yellow card Enzo FERNANDEZ (Argentina) is booked by
-
90'+2'
Yellow card Cristian ROMERO (Argentina) is booked by
-
90'+3'
Red card Enzo FERNANDEZ (Argentina) is booked for
-
105'
Yellow card Lionel SCALONI (Argentina) is booked by
-
106'
Goal Ferran TORRES (Spain) scores!!
-
111'
Yellow card Alexis MAC ALLISTER (Argentina) is booked
Spain squad
- Selected
-
8 Fabian RUIZ Midfielder
-
10 Dani OLMO Forward
-
12 Pedro PORRO Defender
-
14 Aymeric LAPORTE Defender
-
15 Alex BAENA Midfielder
-
16 RODRI C Midfielder
-
19 Lamine YAMAL Forward
-
21 Mikel OYARZABAL Forward
-
22 Pau CUBARSI Defender
-
23 Unai SIMON Goalkeeper
-
24 Marc CUCURELLA Defender
-
1 David RAYA Goalkeeper
-
2 Marc PUBILL Defender
-
3 Alex GRIMALDO Defender
-
4 Eric GARCIA Defender
-
5 Marcos LLORENTE Defender
-
6 Mikel MERINO Midfielder
-
7 Ferran TORRES Forward
-
9 GAVI Midfielder
-
11 Yeremy PINO Forward
-
13 Joan GARCIA Goalkeeper
-
17 Nico WILLIAMS Forward
-
18 Martin ZUBIMENDI Midfielder
-
20 PEDRI Midfielder
-
25 Victor MUNOZ Forward
-
26 Borja IGLESIAS Forward
Argentina squad
- Selected
-
3 Nicolas TAGLIAFICO Defender
-
4 Gonzalo MONTIEL Defender
-
6 Lisandro MARTINEZ Defender
-
7 Rodrigo DE PAUL Midfielder
-
9 Julian ALVAREZ Forward
-
10 Lionel MESSI C Forward
-
13 Cristian ROMERO Defender
-
15 Nico GONZALEZ Midfielder
-
20 Alexis MAC ALLISTER Midfielder
-
23 Emiliano MARTINEZ Goalkeeper
-
24 Enzo FERNANDEZ Midfielder
-
1 Juan MUSSO Goalkeeper
-
2 Marcos SENESI Defender
-
5 Leandro PAREDES Midfielder
-
8 Valentin BARCO Midfielder
-
11 Giovani Lo Celso Midfielder
-
12 Geronimo RULLI Goalkeeper
-
14 Exequiel PALACIOS Midfielder
-
16 Thiago ALMADA Forward
-
17 Giuliano SIMEONE Forward
-
18 Nico PAZ Forward
-
19 Nicolas OTAMENDI Defender
-
21 Jose Manuel LOPEZ Forward
-
22 Lautaro MARTINEZ Forward
-
25 Facundo MEDINA Defender
-
26 Nahuel MOLINA Defender
Writing for the Guardian, the sportswriter and former NBA player Etan Thomas argues that many Black Americans backed Spain over Argentina in the World Cup final not out of enthusiasm for Spain, whose colonial history is also troubled, but because of a pattern of racism and political associations linked to Argentina. He points to repeated incidents involving Argentine fans and players, and to the perceived silence of star Lionel Messi on these matters, suggesting that sporting brilliance does not excuse a reluctance to speak out, unlike figures such as Muhammad Ali or John Carlos and Tommie Smith.
The piece cites several specific examples: videos of Argentina fans directing racial slurs at Black people, Argentine players singing a racist chant about France's Black footballers after their Copa América win, streamer IShowSpeed being racially abused by fans in Argentina kit, and a burger business in Llavallol allegedly trading under a name using a racial slur. Thomas also links Argentina's president, Javier Milei, to Donald Trump-aligned politics and support for Israel's actions in Gaza, noting that Benjamin Netanyahu named Milei ahead of Messi when asked who he was supporting.
In short
- Guardian column explains why many Black Americans opposed Argentina in the World Cup final
- Author cites racist incidents by Argentine fans and players, and Messi's silence
- Piece also links president Javier Milei to Trump and Netanyahu
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Black Americans had legitimate grounds for concern given documented patterns of racist incidents perpetrated by Argentine fans and players, alongside the notable silence of prominent figures like Lionel Messi on these issues. This mirrors historical examples where sporting excellence has not excused public figures' reluctance to address injustice—as exemplified by Muhammad Ali and other athlete activists—suggesting that silence from figures of Messi's global influence signals troubling priorities that can justifiably shape others' allegiances.
The case against
Holding individual players accountable for racist behaviour within their nation's supporter base establishes an unfairly selective standard not consistently applied across sports or nations, particularly given France's own substantial history of racial tensions and discriminatory policies. Reducing a World Cup final to a referendum on political identity instrumentalises sport and treats billions of supporters as morally complicit in the worst actions of some, denying athletes the freedom to compete without conscription into activism whilst their achievements merit celebration in their own right.
Explained simply
Argentina’s national football team is one of the most successful in the sport, and Lionel Messi is its best-known player. The country has a history shaped by European immigration and has often been seen as having a largely white national identity, while Black people and other minorities have faced racism there.
The debate draws on incidents involving Argentine fans and players, including racial abuse and a racist chant about France’s team. It also raises questions about whether prominent athletes should speak publicly about racism, and how Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, is viewed in relation to US politics and the war in Gaza.