Today, while driving in Calgary, I was passed by a car that was sporting two Argentine flags flying in the breeze—an indication of the team that the driver is cheering for to win the World Cup. I honked excitedly in agreement. I don’t know what came over me—I never do that during North American games.
I have never cared about sports. I don’t play and I don’t watch. I don’t even go out with men who watch sports. But, Argentina is playing in the World Cup. If Canada was playing I wouldn’t care. But, there is something about being somewhat of an honorary ‘Argentine ex-pat’ living in Canada that makes me long for ‘home’ during this most exciting soccer match. I imagine it will get crazy in Buenos Aires over the next several days.
Word is that with a little help from the other hand of God, Diego Maradona’s ‘successor’ Lionel Messi could very well achieve sainthood in the minds of the Argentines and possibly the world. I can’t help but cheer for that. I love the passion that exudes from the Argentines—love or hate—for the tango and for their soccer. Argentina may be at the bottom of the world from me but they are currently on top of the soccer world and I hope they stay there. If it makes Argentines happy it makes me happy.
