Why Brazilians are supporting Germany over Argentina in the World Cup final

It may come as a surprise to the international community but most Brazilians will likely be supporting Germany over Argentina in the upcoming World Cup final, despite the epic whopping the Brazil team got from the German team. After the absolute humiliation of losing 7-1 on Tuesday in the first semi-final, Brazilians are slowly healing their wounds. The streets have been sadly devoid of yellow shirts and the media is scrambling to makes sense of what went wrong. As it rains heavily in Rio and the sun attempts to shine through the clouds, we have to admit that Germany was simply the better team in terms of training, strategy, talent and sportsmanship. This historical loss has left Brazilians a little bit broken, but the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina runs deep. From an early age I was taught that losing to Argentina was the worst thing that could happen in Brazilian football. Even the friendlies between the two countries are extremely competitive and somewhat hostile. [caption id=“attachment_1616611” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  This historical loss has left Brazilians a little bit broken, but the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina runs deep. AP[/caption] There are diverging schools of thought about where exactly this rivalry has come from. Some say it originated in colonial times, when the Spanish and the Portuguese were fighting over Latin American land. Others, like sociologist and journalist Ronaldo Helal, say the rivalry was born only in 2002, with the debate of ‘Who is the best – Pelé or Maradona?’ – to which the obvious answer is, and has always been, Pelé. The same kind of rivalry has been rolling between Neymar and Messi – who is better? The answer to me is Neymar, of course, but I cannot say it is an unbiased assessment. In contrast to this competition, Neymar said he will be supporting Argentina and that he wants Messi to be a world champion. We also have to consider that both players are young and have not yet reached the peak of their careers. Pelé’s early blooming and talent was the exception to the rule. In truth it is a silly rivalry but, unfortunately, a deeply entrenched one. As Rio de Janeiro prepares itself for the final in the Maracanã, the government expects around 100,000 Argentinians to arrive in the city and take over dear territory: the heart of samba, the Sambadrome. Copacabana, usually the gathering place for ‘cariocas’ has been invaded by loud, drunk Argentinian football fans eager to provoke the Brazilian residents. Supporters from both sides are harsh to each other, keen on provocation. Before Brazil’s humiliation on the field anti-Argentinian chants went like this: “If you’re Argentinian, tell me what it’s like, to have only two World Cups, one less than Pelé”. Now those chants have been replaced by the Argentinian “Brazil how does it feel, to lose the cup at home, the years will go by, and we will never forget”. All of this considered Brazilians’ support for the German team may have other origins than this rivalry. Speaking to Globo network, a Brazilian supporter said: “I’ll be supporting Germany because they really did show the better football.” Others are appalled and hurt by the invasion that has turned Rio in a second Buenos Aires – even though Brazilians would probably do the same were the situation reversed. I will be supporting the Germans on Sunday both because of the rivalry and the sportsmanship they have shown the Brazilian team. And like a meme that has been going around the internet says Argentina has Messi – Germany has a whole team. I don’t think I can stand supporting a losing team again. I hope the Argentinians’ smiles are wiped off their faces tomorrow.