Two ballistic missiles launched by North Korea in the Sea of ​​Japan

Buenos Aires: The Argentines were preparing feverishly for Sunday’s World Cup Final against France, convinced that their country, their team and above all their superstar Leo Messi “deserved” of lifting the prestigious trophy thirty-six years after winning their second superstar.

Flags and songs to send the final positive “ondas” to the “muchachos” Lionel Scaloni, who will be playing 13,000 kilometers from Buenos Aires. Hundreds of Porteños gathered on Saturday evening for “banderazos”, a kind of “flag ceremony”, in the 15 districts of the capital.

Almost all “Messi”, wigs, painted faces, trumpets, drums, songs of course, especially flags flocked to the Albiceleste team. Joyful crowds are like celebrating victory.

Already on Saturday the Obelisk, a symbolic monument in the heart of Buenos Aires, witnessed the spontaneous – and on a small scale – repeat of the human tide of dozens, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of people, who should flock to the capital in triumph.

Franco Lanus, wearing a cap, flag and Albiceleste jersey, held a plastic replica of the Gold Cup in his hands.

party whatever

“I’m very proud to be Argentine. I know Messi will bring back the trophy,” he said before hopping his feet into the songs, his outstretched arm hitting the sky, towards those strangers who like him had come to actually participate. in order to celebrate.

From Jujuy (north) to Chubut (south) 2,800 km away, from Mendoza at the foot of the Andes to Mar del Plata on the Atlantic Ocean, an entire country was preparing to vibrate around giant screens in parks and playgrounds on the waterfront.

In Boca, the stronghold of the yellow-and-blue Maradones of local club Boca Juniors, Karina DiSanzo, 44, in the national team shirt, is convinced of one thing: she will celebrate on Sunday, regardless of the outcome of the match.

“If it has to happen, which we all want, it will be a big party. If we lose too, because we went to the final.” But she notes, “It would be a pleasure to be protagonists of whatever happens to us,” referring to the country’s chronically ill economy, where inflation is among the highest in the world.

Yes, “we deserve it,” she affirms.

Then you remember Argentina “a very footballing country”. What happens here, on the field, the atmosphere in the stands, does not exist in other countries (…) except perhaps in Brazil.

And France faces the “title champion” who stands, “No fear but respect yes.”

Tourists, suite for one night

Unexpected reinforcements, the wave of supporters has been enriched by tourists, who have come especially to be shaken by the moment they hope will be “historic”.

Lili Oronoz and Antonio Secola, two 51-year-olds from Puerto Rico, crossed South America “for the Argentine passion for ‘football’, motivated by South American solidarity” and “for ‘Messi'”.

English friends on vacation in Brazil decided “on impulse” to join Buenos Aires: “When will we get another chance to experience the World Cup final in Argentina, in Argentina?” said Josh Guillet, 27, wearing a goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez jersey.

Greg Lahey, 28, dressed like his idol, Leo Messi.

“We all hope he wins the World Cup,” he says. “I think he’s the greatest player of all time and he deserves to be ‘lifted up.'”

On the eve of this rendezvous with history, vendors on many street corners wave sale flags and blow plastic trumpets (vuvuzelas) loudly.

At Barrio 11, which focuses on wholesale stores, this year’s Christmas decorations have given way to the full paraphernalia of the prop—including a bell hat and a blue-and-white vuvuzela—that overflow the sidewalks.

“Especially the make-up and the flags,” says Raul Machuca, a 22-year-old salesman. Business is going well at the start of the Australian summer.

TV channels continuously presented hopes, which sharpened hopes.

“One step from the dream,” he announces the almost constant banner of TN, which recalls the history of Argentina’s last world title, in 1986 in Mexico: “Two generations of tears.”

Major television channels, usually required to broadcast the national anthem at the end of programmes, created a special version at midnight, recorded by players in Qatar. The Argentine Federation’s initiative to launch a countdown with excitement guaranteed until 12 hours before kick-off.