Why always Argentina? — by Chris Adetayo
Argentina has produced several of the greatest to have played the game of football. In Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, they legitimately lay claim to 2 of the greatest 5 players ever.
The country’s record in the World Cup is also stellar. In the last 50 years, featuring 13 editions, Argentina has won 3, more times than any other country. In the same period, they have appeared in a total of 6 finals. That is, 6 of the 13 Finals has featured Argentina. Comparatively, Brazil has made only 3 finals (winning 2), Germany has made 5 finals (winning 2), Italy has 2 finals (winning both) France has 3 (winning 2) and Spain is 2 of 2. Clearly, Argentina is a true powerhouse.
Yet, for all its success, Argentina’s World Cup reputation is less salutary. Infact, the records are filled with so much as to compel an asterisk to be placed on many of the country’s greatest achievements.
Start with 1966. Many may not know but it was the behaviour of the Captain of Argentina’s team in the 1966 World Cup that directly led to the introduction of Red and Yellow cards in football. Antonio Rattin was verbally told to leave the field by the Referee in Argentina’s QF game against England. His offence – dissent and disrespect. But Rattin refused to leave the field for over 10 minutes, claiming he couldn’t understand the Referee’s instructions. Following the show of shame, FIFA invented the Red and Yellow cards to enforce discipline in matches.
Move on to 1978. Argentina hosted and won. But to make it to the Final, it had to beat Peru by at least 4 goals. This will enable it to overhaul Brazil who had beaten Peru by 3 nil. In the circumstance, Argentina won by 6-0. Not a few believe, till this day, that the match was rigged.
1982 saw the first entry of Diego Maradona. But he left the tournament in disgrace after picking up a red card for a kungfu kick on an opponent in the game against Brazil. 4 years later, he put up a show for the ages. But along with his imperious performances was the “hand of God” goal that effectively knocked England out of the World Cup. Talk of an Evil Genius!
In 1990, Argentina crawled its way to the Final through some very uninspiring displays. Facing Germany, the same team it beat in 1986, Argentina played like butchers. Not one but two of its players were sent off in what was the most violent final the world had witnessed up until then. It remains the only World Cup Final with 2 red cards. Infact, of the 6 Red Cards issued in World Cup Final matches, Argentina account for 3 of them!!
From 1990’s debacle, Argentina moved to the drug scandal of 1994 that consumed Diego Maradona. By then 34 years old, and with limited football over the previous 3 years due to drug bans, Maradona took to Ephedrine (a stimulant and weight loss drug) to get himself fit. After the group game against Nigeria, he was randomly tested. The positive result led to his expulsion and an ignominious end to his international career.
For the next couple of decades after, Argentina were largely bystanders at the World Cup. The era of Lionel Messi followed. But even his greatness did not escape his country’s ingrained penchant for cynical gamesmanship and brutality. They made it to the 2014 Final and, once again, the world was treated to Argentina’s almost unrestrained ferocity. The Germans were at the receiving end, once again, but retained their composure to win in extra time.
Then came the 2026 Final. 120 minutes. Rather than attempts on target, Argentina focused on getting tackles on target. It was a one-sided affair, an anti-football to close the world’s great football tournament. Messi-fully, Spain won!
Will Argentina change after the latest show of shame? Don’t bet a penny on it!!
