Lionel Messi takes centre stage in Argentina’s organic outpouring of joy

Y ou would be forgiven for missing it last Thursday evening, amid the excitement of England’s win in Italy or the sacking of Julian Nagelsmann at Bayern Munich, but there was a brief moment, captured in Buenos Aires, where football turned its best trick, creating a moment so full of togetherness that one felt grateful just to watch, even if it was on a laptop or a phone a few thousand miles away.

Argentina started the international break with a friendly against Panama, the first game since their World Cup triumph, but the actual match served just as an excuse for a rousing pre-match sing-song, where fans bellowed out “Muchachos” into the ether at the Estadio Monumental.

The lyrics, written by a fan and adopted by a nation over the World Cup, were everywhere in Qatar, both in the stands and Argentina’s dressing room. Muchachos is a story of redemption – “how many years I cried for the finals that we lost” – and the rendition on Thursday was that of a dream realised, an organic outpouring of joy. There were no lyrics left on the seats, no choreography, no backing singer, no commentary, distractions or agenda. No Gazprom hoardings, no Salt Bae with a selfie stick, no cutaway shots of Gianni Infantino looking smug in the posh seats. It was a pure and astounding moment.

“Boys, now we’re dreaming again I want to win it for the third timeI want to be world championAnd Diego, we can see him up in heavenWith Don Diego [Maradona’s father] and Tota [his mother]Cheering on Lionel.”

What must it have felt like to be there, to sing that song, or to have it sung to you by 83,000 people? Lionel Messi, a veteran of such occasions, stands on the pitch with tears in his eyes, visibly clearing his throat, his arms thrown around his three