Almost three years after the World Cup title won by the Argentina National Team in Qatar 2022, renowned journalist Miguel Ángel "Tití" Fernández revealed a little-known story about the messages sent to him by then-president Alberto Fernández during the World Cup. According to his account, the president contacted him frequently to convey his support and pride for Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni, and the entire champion squad.
"Look at what happened recently. This is the first time an Argentine who won something worldwide didn't go to the Government House. Everyone has done it. Boxers, football teams... Everyone went to celebrate and appeared on the balcony. The only team that didn't appear... Also, the person representing us as president was a gentleman…," he began in an interview for the program Se Viene on the AZZ streaming channel.
That situation contrasted with what happened in 1978, when dictator Jorge Rafael Videla handed the cup to Daniel Passarella; in 1986, with Raúl Alfonsín celebrating alongside Maradona; or in 1990, when the runner-up was received by Carlos Menem. In 2022, however, the National Team decided not to attend the Casa Rosada, and the president followed the celebrations from Olivos after declaring a national holiday.
The operation ended with the players evacuated by helicopter and without the official photo, sealing an unprecedented rift between the political power and the world champion team.
The reporter, who covered the National Team for decades, revealed that the first messages date back to December 3, 2022, after the 2-1 victory over Australia in the round of 16. "Alberto wrote things to me like: "Spectacular, Tití. Brilliant. You don't know the joy we Argentines feel. Tell Messi and Scaloni that we're proud"," he recalled.
