In the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup final between the Argentine National Team and Spain, President Javier Milei chose to maintain a strict football ritual and not travel to the United States to witness the match.
The president will follow the game from the Quinta de Olivos, convinced that sticking to his routine is key to not disrupting the team's streak.
True to his “Bilardista” style, Milei opted to watch the game on television instead of attending the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the championship will be decided this Sunday.
President Javier Milei and Lionel Messi
The ritual includes a series of habits that the President repeats for each team presentation. During the match, he always positions himself in the same spot within the official residence and shares the moment with his sister, Karina Milei, Secretary General of the Presidency, with whom he follows each game.
One of the central elements of the ritual is the clothing. Milei wears a jacket from the state oil company YPF, a garment that, as he recounted, he decided to not take off after a specific experience during the match against Switzerland.
According to his own testimony, in that match he took off the jacket and the National Team immediately conceded a goal. After putting it back on, he chose not to take it off again for the remainder of the tournament.
Argentinian fans in Times Square
The World Cup Final
The final will take place this Sunday, July 19, at 16:00 (Argentine time), with the team captained by Lionel Messi facing Spain in the United States. Argentina arrives at the match with the chance to defend the title won in Qatar 2022 and achieve its fourth world championship, following victories in 1978, 1986, and 2022.
Additionally, the team aims to become the first to win two consecutive titles since Brazil's triumphs in 1958 and 1962.
The match also presents a unique feature: it will be the first time the reigning Copa América champion, Argentina, faces the Euro Cup champion, Spain, in a final.
In this context, Milei decided to keep his routine unchanged to support the National Team from a distance. The ritual is part of a personal conviction that the President holds during a moment of maximum expectation for the entire country.
