this weekend’s epic, historic final
Uruguay v. Argentina, 1902
This Saturday’s final between Brasil and Argentina is going to be epic. We are not talking about the quality of the match as we have no way to know how it will go (sometimes epic matchups play out in the most boring way) but about the epic quality of the match because of the weight of fútbol history. Copa América is the oldest, most established tournament in fútbol history, it precedes the World Cup. This brings with it prestige. Today, we associate this concept with money and glamour, which is why any superficial, imperialist or eurocentric fútbol fan will deny the prestige of the Copa América and favor the glitz and glamour of the Euros. Yes, the European countries have more money, (duh, colonization) but the better fútbol is played in South América. Most of the best players in European clubs are South American. Argentina, Brasil and Uruguay are the only three countries in the global south and outside of Europe to have made World Cup finals let alone won World Cups, and more than one each, at that. Most impressive and intriguing is Uruguay, a nation of 3.5 million which consistently produces some of the best fútbol talent in the world, more per capita than any other country. European fútbol didn’t get beautiful until South Americans started to play in their leagues. This history comes with prestige.
On a metaphorical level, these countries represent resistance to imperialism, in a theoretical, sociopolitical context. When fútbol started to be played internationally and things were slightly more equal, ie before capitalism reached the unsustainable, exploitative levels it’s at currently, the playing field was more equal, such that the talent would speak for itself, and South American nations would shine. In fact, for a long time, there was no to little money in international fútbol. Some of the biggest names in history, who have stadia named after them, died in poverty. Now, the countries with the most (stolen) resources get all the glory, especially among those brainwashed by capitalism and imperialism. But money does not equal prestige, it equals resources. People who know, really know, about fútbol don’t ever leave Argentina, Brasil or Uruguay out of the discussion. This level of historical importance, along with all the good, also brings lots of hate and envy from others whose countries don’t have the same history. It’s ironic that lots of times the hate is based on the perceived arrogance that fans of these teams have, and while there are of course arrogant fans as there are everywhere, that arrogance does not come from the team or even the narrative around the team because there is a calm confidence among people who play for these three nations and among fans who know fútbol history. There is no need to flash or flaunt, we know what has been done in the past and can happen again. As a generalization, there is not a lot of flaunting or trash talking that goes on before matches (I personally never ever do this, or even predict matches, for cábala reasons) to the tune of “we’re so much better we’re going to win.” Etc. We will absolutely flaunt it and rub it in your face once we have beat you and proven ourselves, but not really before. It’s a level of quiet humbleness that comes with having had real glory. In Fútbol and in life, frequently those who talk loudest have the least to back it up with where it counts. Insecure folks can’t stand confidence and confuse it with arrogance, which only reflects their own insecurity. And anyone can hate any national team they want, I just wish they were honest about their reasons. I see a lot of faux moralism and holier than thou attitudes that are not consistent, and we all need to look at that with an honest, critical lens.
These three counties, Argentina, Brasil and Uruguay, just by existing, represent resistance to colonialism as, against all odds, despite having been colonized, raped, pillaged by greedy colonizers, they still hold their own where it counts, in fútbol. This pisses off a lot of people, in FIFA and confederations, because those whom they deem to be poor and worthless, can’t spend like rich people can on jerseys, on trips to see their teams, etc. This is of course a flawed mindset for many reasons, but it’s how imperialism works. It also unfortunately pisses off people on the continent who want a fraction of the historical weight and importance that these three countries have. Among the three countries there is a feeling of camaraderie. Yes Argentina and Brasil have a rivalry. Yes Argentina treats Uruguay as if they’re inferior even though, as of today, and this could change this weekend, Uruguay has more Copas América and the same amount of world cups (although FIFA counts the two Olympics prior to the World Cup existing so Uruguay actually has four stars on their crest). But when things happen like the redemption Argentina got from Uruguay’s penalty loss in the prior round (and you would be delusional if you didn’t agree that Messi got the way he did at least in part because he was thinking of his friend in Uruguay), we come together. Because the entire continent roots against us, we root for each other. People from other countries don’t even consider the Southern Cone or Brasil as a part of them. One day during the World Cup I had on a Brasil kit (it was gifted to me from a student and customized!) because Brasil was playing México. A latino acquaintance, from another country in South America, whom I had interacted with in sociopolitical contexts and always talked about la Madre Patria, Latin American unity, etc. was appalled and said “what about Latin American unity?!” Like it didn’t even register to him that Brasil is literally in Latin America? In his brain, because all of them are so anti Argentina Brasil and Uruguay supremacy in fútbol, he couldn’t possibly consider Brasil as deserving of his solidarity. If this person had been honest and said he was rooting against Brasil due to their powerhouse status and not for whatever perceived “Latin American Unity” he was pretending to care about, I would have had more respect. Instead the whole thing was laughable. Brasil ended up, of course, winning the match.
This South American phenomenon trifecta should fill other Latin Americans with pride. It’s a win for the Madre Patria. Instead it makes people blinded with rage and anger. And no, this isn’t a call for superficial unity, no superficial message of let’s all get along, etc. When we meet each other en la cancha, by all means, all rationality is off. We root for whom we want to root for in whatever way we want, and maybe even hate each other for those 90 minutes. But when we calm down and can think rationally and intellectually, we should all be able to do some self reflection and introspection as to where this is all rooted. Europeans hate us and it makes sense, that is rooted in racism and colonialism and envy that some, according to them, poor, worthless “s*d*cas” outgrew them and outshone them and surpassed them at every level at their own game. It’s wrong, but it makes sense. The hate from fellow Latin Americans really doesn’t make sense. So on Saturday, we have the most prestigious and epic international fútbol final we have had in a long time, and I can’t wait. May the best powerhouse win.
