The Spaniards who say defeat to Argentina would hurt less | OneFootball

Spain face Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final and, while the vast majority want La Roja to lift the trophy, a minority of Spaniards admit a defeat to the Albiceleste would sting a little less.

It follows a month that began with a 0-0 against Cabo Verde, then steady improvement as players such as Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino hit form. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, several supporters outlined why Argentina’s success would soften the blow.

Valencian fan José Miguel Vigara recalls the 1978 World Cup won by Argentina and says Mario Kempes remains the player he admires most. For him, Valencia’s rich Argentinian thread, from Claudio “Piojo” López to Roberto Ayala and Pablo Aimar, underpins that affection. Ayala and Aimar are part of Lionel Scaloni’s coaching staff.

Argentina have provided more foreign players to Valencia than any other nation, 38 in total. Young fan Álvaro says he would be gutted if Spain lost, yet Argentina winning would bring a sliver of consolation given those club legends.

Cristóbal Perpiñá, Spanish by birth but an Argentina devotee, says he last backed Spain at Russia 2018. He immersed himself in Argentine football and culture, following Boca and River and savouring the 2021 Copa América semi-final antics of Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez.

He accepts not everyone understands, yet the Qatar triumph over France felt indescribable to him. For this final he would have preferred any opponent but Spain, and he believes Spain’s current crop is, on balance, stronger than Argentina’s.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo