Atlanta Argentines explain why Lionel Messi is more than a great footballer

Canovas returns to Argentina every month for his work in software development. The office is next to a kindergarten. In the morning, he hears the children singing songs about Messi.

“They are extraordinary people, but they have been suffering for about 40 years from social and economic problems in their country,” Canovas said. “Football has always been an outlet for all the problems that arise in the country. So when someone like Messi comes and gives them that outlet, what Messi represents, it’s huge.

This fever and this love have arrived in Atlanta. The team’s hotel and training site in Kennesaw were flooded with people this week just trying to catch a glimpse of Messi and his teammates getting on and off buses.

In their words, with a few edits for brevity and clarity, here is why Thursday will be a special event:

More Why Messi?

Torre, Atlanta resident since 1987: “When we think of Argentinians, there is this stereotype, I would say machismo. It’s a big part of the Argentinian tradition, the Gaucho and all, and something that I’ve always appreciated about Messi, and that’s kind of what he’s given us since 2007, but kind of a reaction against this. He’s still the smallest guy on the field. If you watched him, he would get knocked down all the time. He just got up and continued. He was relentless after the ball. Baby-faced, always aggressive, always humble, always calm, he challenged, for me, this idea of ​​my machismo. He cried when they lost the 2016 Copa final.

“He was rejected by Argentines because he wasn’t from Argentina because he moved when he was 13. I always admired the fact that he went back, though identifies as Argentinian and challenges this machismo My children grow up, love football and wear Messi jerseys. I am always happy that he is the example they have.

Perez, an Atlanta resident since 1999: “Messi comes from a family that, in today’s world, cannot afford training and treatment (Messi needed medical treatments to stimulate his growth). And I think that’s an example , his personality, to always push to be better, and that’s something that I think is not only a good example in Argentina, I think it’s a good example everywhere.

“And he’s a gentleman.” When you have the combination of a good person and this incredible talent, I think that made it so special. He is humble. He never hurt anyone. I think the combination of his technique and his personality, I think that’s what made Messi who he is.

“Argentina has gone through many, many difficult years. The economy is not good. In reality, politicians are not doing a good job. It’s always something that always catches my attention. Usually when you go to Spain, it’s the same language, you started speaking Spanish with a Z. He never changed the way he spoke. This idea that you never lose your sense of who you really are is incredible. With all the money he has, with all he has already accomplished, he can be anywhere he wants. You listen to him speak Spanish, it’s the same Spanish style from Santa Fe to Rosario. It’s so important to us.

Gallardo, joined Atlanta United 2 in 2023 and joined Atlanta United on a short-term deal on Wednesday: “I think he’s considered a king by a lot of people in Argentina just because of everything he accomplished for the country at a time when Argentina maybe wasn’t at its best. He brought a lot of happiness to people.

DeBrock, whose family left Buenos Aires before he was born: “Messi being here is the greatest gift and a huge source of pride! He is not only the best footballer in the world, but also an incredible example of what Argentines are like as a people. Humble, kind, hardworking, motivated and, above all, focused on their family. Messi is so important to Argentines that his photo hangs in the Casa Rosada. (Diego Maradona also adorns the wall with photos of influential Argentines).

“I have watched Messi for over 20 years with admiration and pride, never thinking in my wildest dreams that he would play for a team in the United States. I always imagined that I would take a trip to Barcelona and that I would see him play at the Camp Nou, but it was not planned. Every time the World Cup comes, my family watches every Argentina match together. We often invite friends over and cook Argentinian food with them. recipes dear to our family One day, I even asked a boss if I could come to work late to watch an Argentina match live on television. I couldn’t imagine missing it or seeing spoilers. Luckily, she said yes to coming late that day!

First memory of Messi?

Round : “I was in the Peace Corps and I had a friend who really loved football. He was telling me about certain Argentinians. “There’s this kid. He is 17 years old. He’s going to be the best in the world. Lionel Messi. I always remember him, my friend.

“And then he just kept riding and riding and getting better, getting better. As Argentines, especially expats, we check in at the World Cup, at the 2014 final, when we lost, and we thought he had made it and he missed that goal. And then the defeat against Croatia in 2018 was heartbreaking. And then, finally, in 2022, it was like this whisper from this friend saying, “There’s this kid.” Here we are almost 17 years later, and he’s done so much.

Canovas: “I still remember his first match in Argentina in 2005 in Hungary. He actually received a red card. I remember Argentina had a lot of great young players in the past, and he was one of them. I remember Messi was super special in his first match. We were kind of like, “We want to see more of him.” »

Gallardo: “I remember seeing him play in a River Plate stadium, he scored a goal and he got an assist. And I was there watching with my family and it was a very special moment.

See it live

Canovas, who will be there on Thursday: “I have participated in the last three of the four World Cups. I saw it in South Africa when Maradona was coach. It was an incredible experience. Russia, the last one too, I went to Qatar. It’s always an incredible experience.

DeBrock: “I only saw Messi play once (despite several attempts in Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale), in their defeat against Atlanta United (there are matches). But it was everything I imagined. Magic. I looked at Messi during the warm-up and didn’t take my eyes off him throughout the match. I didn’t want to miss a moment of what could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. my daughter that in a few years she will be able to claim to have seen the greatest footballer of all time from the place where she has roots and a family.

“My family is going to the Copa. We have all our Albiceleste gear ready to go. Kits, flags, makeup, scarves, everything we would normally wear to watch a friendly against Argentina, a Copa match or a World Cup match at home. I think my heart might explode when we walk into Mercedes-Benz Stadium and it’s filled with fans in blue and white. It’s a moment I could never have imagined in a million years: seeing the national team play in person. Much less with Messi. At home. This Copa, Finalissima and World Cup champion team is special for many reasons and is a true source of happiness and pride for all Argentines. It means so much and I can’t wait.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in US Open Cup

May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2

May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0

May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1

May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in US Open Cup

May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0

May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1

June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2

June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2

June 19 at DC United, 7:30 p.m.

June 22 in Saint-Louis, 8:30 p.m.

June 29 c. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 9 against Indy Eleven in the US Open Cup

July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 against Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 against DC United in the League Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in the League Cup, 4 p.m.

August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

September 18 against Miami, 7:30 p.m.

September 21 at the Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 c. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 against Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.