Argentina fans revel in Messi’s Miami homecoming before Cape Verde match

Miami, United States – Argentina football fans announced their team’s arrival in Miami with a festive display of drumming, dancing, and flag-waving on Friday, one day before the defending champions’ first knockout match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The area of Miami Beach known as Little Buenos Aires came alive with nearly a thousand revelers celebrating Lionel Messi’s “homecoming.” Argentina will face the small African island nation of Cape Verde, the tournament’s fairytale team, at Miami Stadium.

For the Argentine supporters, there is no sympathy for the underdog. Adrian Elizondo explained, “Messi deserves to win another World Cup. It’s his last World Cup, and since he’s the greatest player of all time, he deserves another trophy.” He also credited the team’s depth: “We have good players, a great coach, and tens of thousands of supporters. We make a big difference.”

Miami is home to at least 30,000 Argentines, with an additional 20,000 fans following the team in the United States. Crowds began gathering over 24 hours before kickoff, singing the famous anthem “Muchachos,” which recalls past heartbreaks but took on a joyous tone after Argentina ended a 36-year title drought in Qatar four years ago. Fans of all ages, from toddlers to 70-year-olds, filled the streets.

A group of supporters from the Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario held a banner connecting the two national heroes, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Jorge Martinelli, who traveled from Rosario, said, “Messi was born in Rosario and played in Newell’s youth teams, while Maradona came to the club in 1993. Many believe Maradona is guiding the team from heaven.” Martinelli declined to contemplate a future after Messi’s retirement, but noted that Messi is favored to defend the title, something even Maradona could not achieve.