Argentina and Me

Argentina and Me

I decided to buy an Argentina football jersey. Is it because I support the Argentinian team? No, I support no particular team and don’t even watch football regularly. I bought it because I like the design—those light blue vertical stripes. I bought it for aesthetic reasons. It is true that I bought a number 10 Messi shirt specifically, but here again my reasons were quite self-centered: Lionel is only 5’7” and the best footballer in history, according to many observers; and I am 5’6”. I like the way his little legs scissor when he accelerates, and he seems like a nice guy. Anyway, I attracted a fair amount of attention when I visited the supermarket on Sunday wearing that snazzy shirt—men and women talking to me in Spanish and smiling. They naturally assumed I was a fan. I smiled and nodded. Maybe I should wear it more often. But here is the ironic thing: I will be wearing that jersey when I watch Argentina play England later this week. Who do I want to win? I’m not going to say, but my choice of jersey has to mean something. I won’t be upset no matter who wins.