Buffoonery of Argentina-Brazil supporters: Past and present

Uruguay's recent style of football raised fears and apprehensions among Brazilian fans ahead of their Copa America quarter-final match. Ultimately, these fears materialized when 15-time champions Uruguay defeated Brazil in a penalty shootout, knocking them out before the semi-finals. The match, held in Las Vegas, created ripples as far as Dhaka.

From the morning of July 7, social media feeds of Bangladeshi football enthusiasts were dominated by Brazil and Argentina fans! The Brazilian supporters were frustrated after their team, reduced to 10 players, failed to score in the last 21 minutes (16 in regulation time, 5 in extra time) against Uruguay. The final disappointment was the shootout defeat. Brazilian fans expressed their agony through posts filled with rage and frustration. Meanwhile, Argentine fans took the opportunity to tease their rivals, some offering consolation while others taunted.

The passion for South America's top tournament remained virtual this time for both Argentine and Brazilian fans. However, during the FIFA World Cup season, this enthusiasm transcends the virtual world and becomes a part of life for Bengalis, sometimes reaching the level of madness. I'll try to share some images of this frenzy and various aspects of the excitement surrounding Argentina and Brazil.

Origins
The exact origins of the craze for Brazil and Argentina are not well-documented. At one time, a limited number of people kept up with global sports news through radio and newspapers. Brazil played in four World Cup finals from the 1950s to the 1970s, naturally leading to Brazilian dominance among Bangladeshi supporters during that period. It's believed that the craze for these two Latin American countries began after people started watching games on television in the 1980s. Veteran sports journalist Dilu Khandaker, working at Channel Twenty Four, explained the origins of the excitement: "In the previous generation, there were more Brazil supporters, there's no denying that. Diego Maradona changed the scene. No player had ever won a World Cup with individual brilliance until Maradona. There isn't a second instance in World Cup history where a team won solely because of one player. The craze for Argentina in Bangladesh started because of Maradona. What Maradona did, Messi has carried on."

Maradona's individual brilliance led Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup and reach the 1990 final. However, they lost the final to Germany 1-0 due to a controversial penalty. Argentine players were shown red cards by referee Edgardo Codesal, a decision still debated as the first marching order in World Cup final history. These incidents emotionally affected Bangladeshi football fans. Did these events influence the support for Argentina in Bangladesh? Dilu Khandaker, who has covered seven World Cups, responded, "Maybe somewhat. But I think it was more about Maradona's extraordinary performance in the 1986 World Cup that attracted Bangladeshi fans."

Reasons for Brazil's Popularity
In the 80s and 90s, textbooks featured Pele, the Black Pearl. Even earlier, a limited number of sports enthusiasts in Bangladesh kept up with global sports news through radio and newspapers. Brazil dominated world football from the late 1950s to the 1970s. This dominance led Bangladeshis to support Brazil. The popularity that began with Pele, Garrincha, and Vava was taken to new heights by Romario, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Rivaldo. These players led Brazil to three consecutive World Cup finals (1994, 1998, and 2002), winning two (1994 and 2002). This success planted the seeds of Brazil's popularity among the youth of that time.

Reasons for Argentina's Popularity
In the 80s, Bangladeshis started watching games on television. After winning the 1978 World Cup, Argentina won again in 1986. The extraordinary performances of Maradona in 1986 and 1990 captivated Bangladeshi viewers. Even after being banned for doping, Maradona played in the 1994 World Cup. The fan base for Argentina built around Maradona's magical football, especially after the 1986 World Cup victory. Later, players like Messi and Di Maria carried on the legacy. Although Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final, they won the 2022 title. From 2004 to 2021, Argentina played in five out of seven Copa America finals, winning the title in their fifth attempt by defeating Brazil. The craze that began with Maradona has been well carried on by Messi. The current generation of football lovers is drawn to Argentina by Messi's magical performances. The exquisite skills of these two Argentine football artists have significantly contributed to Argentina's global popularity. The recent team success has taken the excitement to new heights, especially among the youth.

The Nature of the Craze
Various regions in Bangladesh celebrate in different ways to support their teams. During the Qatar World Cup, there were grand feasts with cows and goats slaughtered in different parts of the country. The news of hoisting kilometer-long flags has become routine in recent World Cups. Many houses are painted in the colors of the Brazilian or Argentine flags. Rickshaws and boats are also decorated with the national colors of these two countries. The biggest festival for Bangladeshis during the World Cup season is probably the "Flag Festival." Seasonal businesses thrive around flags and jerseys. Friendly matches between Brazilian and Argentine fans are also common in various regions during this time.

Diversity in Expression
Brazil's World Cup campaign in Qatar started with a match against Serbia. Before the match, on November 24, Brazilian supporters held a joyous parade in Madarganj, Jamalpur! During the 2018 World Cup, Abu Taher caught everyone's attention in Dhaka with his rickshaw decorated with Argentine flags; he even nicknamed himself Messi. Abu Taher Messi declared, "Brazil supporters are not allowed on my rickshaw." In addition to various incidents across the country, the excitement is also reflected in dramas and films.

From Football Festivity to Frenzy
Every four years, the excitement surrounding the two Latin American countries peaks during the FIFA World Cup. In recent years, this enthusiasm has also brought about concerns. During the 2014 World Cup, a hotel worker in Lalmonirhat was killed in a clash between Brazil and Argentina supporters. Before the 2018 World Cup, supporters from both teams engaged in a bloody confrontation with sharp weapons in Bandar Upazila, Narayanganj. There have been multiple incidents of people dying from electrocution while trying to hoist their favorite team’s flag in high places. This craze was also seen during the 2021 Copa America, where Argentina and Brazil faced each other in the final. Before the final match, there was a bloody clash between supporters in Brahmanbaria, leading to a ban on gathering to watch the match together. Earlier, during the 2014 World Cup, 11 people were injured in clashes between Brazil and Argentina supporters in Barishal.

Making Headlines Globally
The madness of these fans, ongoing for years, has not remained confined within the country. During the Qatar World Cup, this excitement made headlines in many prominent global media outlets. The sight of crowds watching matches on big screens at Dhaka University was widely covered and displayed in various media. Recently, support for Argentina has been more noticeable. This support for Albiceleste has reached as far as 17,000 kilometers away in Argentina, giving a new dimension to the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Argentina’s Affection for Bangladesh
Bangladeshis' love for Argentina has also attracted the citizens of Argentina. As a result, many Argentines have been vocal on social media in support of the Bangladesh cricket team. This connection led to Argentina's club Sol de Mayo inviting Bangladesh national team captain Jamal Bhuyan. However, this relationship did not take long to turn sour.
Engr. Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), expressed his views on the progressive steps being taken in the telecommunications sector.

He said that “The BTRC has been actively supporting the industry by introducing the latest technologies and innovations to keep pace with global advancements. We thank Grameenphone for launching the GP Fi service, which aims to provide uninterrupted and high-quality internet access to users and hope that Grameenphone would continue its efforts in enhancing the digital landscape of Bangladesh, contributing to the overall development and modernization of the country's telecommunications infrastructure.”

Engr. Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), said “BTRC has been facilitating the industry with the latest technology and innovations. Bangladesh must remain updated with the global trends. We thank Grameenphone for launching gpfi to provide uninterrupted and high-quality internet service and hope that Grameenphone will continue its efforts to enhance the digital.”

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Mahbub Sarkar: Sports Journalist and Analyst.