The highly visible, vocal and passionate support for Argentina from the sub-continent throughout the just concluded FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been acknowledged by the victorious team.
That Argentina (and Brazil) have a huge fan base across the sub-continent has been well documented. Support to La Albiceleste from India (Kerala in particular), Bangladesh and Pakistan was unwavering throughout the World Cup.
From Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s heartfelt note to Argentine President Alberto Ángel Fernández, to the sub-continent fans taking to the streets following Argentina’s win over France in “simply the greatest World Cup final ever”, it was a riot of celebrations on Sunday night and well into Monday.
“Thank you Bangladesh ? Thank you Kerala, India, Pakistan. Your support was wonderful!,” read the tweet posted on the official Twitter handle of the Argentine national team.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina penned a personal letter to Ángel Fernández on the team’s victory. She wrote: “On behalf of the people of Bangladesh and my own behalf, I have immense pleasure in conveying our heartfelt felicitations and warmest congratulations to you and the friendly people of the Argentine Republic on the spectacular victory of the Argentine football team in the FIFA World Cup 2022.
“I have pleasantly observed that the affection and love for football, particularly the Argentine football team, profoundly connects our two people. The people of Bangladesh have demonstrated their admiration and love through the spontaneous celebration of winning the World Cup Football Championship of your national football team.
“This unprecedented love and affection between our two peoples have paved the way for solid bilateral relations.”
Even Brazil, La Albiceleste’s great rival, sent congratulations.
“Happy with the victory of the Argentine neighbours. Great game from Messi, who deserved this a lot, and Di Maria. Congratulations to the players, the Argentina coaching staff and my friend @alferdez,” Brazil’s President Lula da Silva tweeted alongside an emoji of the Argentinian flag.
