Argentina once needed a miracle from the “Hand of God” to progress through the World Cup.
And now they may need some more divine intervention just to get out of the group stage after an embarrassing defeat by Saudi Arabia in the opening game.
Fortunately, the adoring fans have God’s representatives on earth on their side, and Pope Francis told his audience today that he is thinking about the tournament.
The Pope, a native of the South American country where Catholicism and soccer battle for supremacy, is a lifelong fan who believes the sport promotes solidarity and brotherhood.
Speaking at the end of his weekly general audience on Wednesday, Francis greeted the World Cup players, fans and spectators watching from afar.
Pope Francis touches his face today during his weekly general audience on St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican
Lionel Messi holds his head in his hands during Argentina’s humiliating defeat against Saudi Arabia yesterday
Die-hard fans in the football-loving country, which was one of the favorites at the tournament, were left speechless
Argentina’s Lionel Messi watches in disbelief as Saudi players celebrate their goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia
He said: “May this important event be an opportunity for meeting and harmony between nations, for promoting brotherhood and peace among people.
“Let us pray for world peace and an end to all conflict.”
Argentina experienced one of the biggest setbacks in World Cup history yesterday
Saudi Arabia beat Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the opening game of their World Cup season in what is arguably one of the biggest sporting upsets in history.
The Gulf nation, currently ranked 51st behind hosts Qatar, entered the tournament with low expectations in a group with Argentina, who were among the favorites for the trophy.
Hailing from the South American country where Catholicism and football compete for supremacy, the Pope is a lifelong fan
Argentinian soccer fans wearing Lionel Messi shirts can only watch as their hero fails to inspire his team to beat Saudi Arabia
A woman wipes tears from her eyes as fans watch the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia in Buenos Aires
Argentine players show their dejection after the 2-1 defeat during the Group C match of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 between Argentina and Saudi Arabia on November 22, 2022 at Lusail Stadium
But in a truly stunning turn of events, the underdogs saw the world number three drop to the bottom of Group C with an incredible 2-1 win.
In doing so, they ended Argentina’s 36-match winning streak and all but crushed 35-year-old Messi’s dream of winning the World Cup in what could be the maestro’s final international competition.
The country’s media slammed the humiliating victory, saying the tournament had already “turned from a dream into a nightmare” with qualification for the knockout rounds at stake.
The team will have a loyal following cheering them on from the Vatican, while the soccer-mad Pope hopes his countrymen will win their first World Cup since 1986.
The 85-year-old is a fan of the San Lorenzo club from Buenos Aires.
And in 2013, Lionel Messi and his teammates received a special blessing during a private audience at the Vatican.
The Pope also received a shirt from his compatriot Diego Maradona.
Previously, his compatriot Diego Maradona (pictured in 2014) offered him a jersey.
The Pope, along with Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon in 2013, once declared the Argentine the greatest footballer of all time
After winning the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, in 2014, San Lorenzo traveled to the Vatican to present the trophy to the adoring fans.
Francis also remembers playing soccer with a ball made of tied cloths during his impoverished childhood in Buenos Aires.
He said he played with other children in a village square but admitted his football skills were limited and he was even called “stiff”.
He said: “There wasn’t always someone with a leather ball, so we played with a rag ball, a pelota de trapo.
“Playing in goal was a wonderful school of life for me. The goalkeeper must be prepared to react to threats that can come from any direction.’
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
