Argentina fans celebrate one-year anniversary of World Cup triumph

In a vibrant celebration full of cheers and camaraderie, die-hard Argentina supporter Kadeen ‘Guzzu Boss’ Richards led a gathering of fellow fans to commemorate the one-year anniversary of their team’s World Cup victory with what they affectionately dubbed a “Messi party.”

Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on December 18, 2022 by beating France 4-2 on penalties after battling to a 3-3 draw after full and extra time. Star man Messi scored two goals, while France strike Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick. Yesterday in downtown Kingston, amid the popping of bottles and jubilant shouts, the supporters proudly adorned jerseys, symbolising a united front as a team.

“Come nuh, unite as one nuh,” Richards urged for a photograph. The male supporters were dedicated to arranging the displays, while the women took charge of cakes and food, ensuring a seamless celebration.

“Three stars now! The G-O-A-T!” Richards exclaimed, the first part of the statement acknowledging the number of times the team has won the coveted prize. The ‘goat’ reference is to the team’s captain and star player Lionel Messi, who is considered the ‘greatest of all time’. Richards’ moniker Guzzu Boss is derived from her spirited declaration of setting ‘guzzu’ or ‘science’ on Brazil in favour of Argentina during the 2022 World Cup. Her energetic and joyous demeanour conveyed a sense that the World Cup triumph was a fresh memory.

Spuggy, another fervent Argentina supporter, passionately proclaimed, “Messi ago send di jet fi wi. Messi, we love yuh and the whole team.”

Displaying two cakes which were adorned with blue hues – reminiscent of the team’s colours – and an image of the Argentina team, the fans proudly asserted that they celebrate like champions. In October, Messi was presented with the Ballon d’Or as the the world’s best football player for the record-extending eighth time. However, some felt that other players were more deserving. But not in Richards’ eyes.

“Him accomplish everything, him nuh short of nothing. A di human goat himself,” she said.

“Him can hang it [his football boots] up because him reach di age now. Him do him work and him set di trend. Dem [his teammates] play wid di human goat so yuh know the goat train dem so a di best of all di best we have”she added.

Richards and Spuggy agreed on potential successors stating “We have [Manchester City player Julian] Alvarez! We have di whole a dem and di under 17 dem a come,” she said. “Don’t figet keeper [Emiliano] Martinez and big up di coach.” THE STAR asked whether or not they would still support Argentina if Messi was supposed to retire today and, almost as if it was planned, all of the supporters responded in a chorus “One Argentina”. But none was louder than Richards, who got emotional.

“Mi nuh know ‘bout nobody but mi can tell yuh dis, a Argentina wi seh and a Messi wi seh, but once you seh Messi, you haffi seh the whole team, and dis is the reason why we choose fi put the picture wid all a di teammates and not just Messi alone.”