How did Lionel Messi and Argentina become the biggest perpetrators of the World Cup online

If you are to believe social networks, Argentina is entering the semi-final phase of the World Cup with “worldwide against it”.
The expression has become one of the most widely used memes of this tournament, with thousands of posts surrounding the word <x0).h.h.h. Football fans have also popularized the term “hatge-wattting Argentina”, so following Argentina's matches only for enjoying ridicule, criticism or the desire to see the champion in force eliminated, writes The Telegraph.
Some social media users have noted that combining words “argent” and “hate” in a post often brings hundreds or thousands of reactions.
The whole world hates Argentina”, wrote a viral post. Another claimed: “LAST LAST: Argentina is currently the most hated place in the world”
One user asked: “Why does any post against Mess or Argentina get over 50,000 consents, no matter how meaningless or irrational it is? “, while another stated: “Hatred against Mess and Argentina is reaching extreme levels”.
How did Argentina return to the world's “bad neighbour”?
In sports, success usually brings admirers. But in Argentina, every victory in this world seems to have caused a new wave of criticism, memes, and online debate.
For decades Argentina has been one of the most popular nationals in world football. Lionel Messey's 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar approached him with millions of fans worldwide and strengthened his status as one of the greatest players in history.
But four years later, the Internet atmosphere looks very different.
Since Qatar's World, geopolitical tensions, rising nationalism and deep divisions in online discussions have caused sports and politics to get more mixed up. Conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and recently in Iran have also entered into football talks, turning the World Cup into a arena where issues outside the field crash.
Even Mess is turned into target of criticism
Even Lionel Messey has not escaped online attacks.
“The whole world knows that Mess is FIFA's petter”, wrote a viral comment, while another irony user: “Things that bother you now: to be Argentina fan”.
Tarts against the Argentinan team have taken on increasing forms.
Even if Argentina played only in the stadium, I would support stadium”, a fan wrote ironicly.
Another commented: “The hatred of Argentina has come out of control. Some people are working at nine to five hours just hoping for their failure. You hate Argentina more than you want your team. Mess lives in the minds of some of you without paying rent”
Beyond football, debates over Argentina have expanded
Beyond sports results, Argentina has long played a special role in South America.
Its identity associated with European immigration and complex history regarding indigenous and aptitude communities often turns into discussions during major tours.
Recently, some social networking users have also linked Argentina to broader political controversy. Messi's visits to Jerusalem and his meetings with Israeli leaders have returned to the attention, while a viral image featuring Benjamin Netanyahu with fans of Argentina caused numerous reactions despite reports that photography was created with artificial intelligence.
The polymics showed up off the Internet.
The elimination of Egypt brought yet another wave of controversy. Egypt's coach, Hossam Hassan, reacted sharply after the match by making a gesture in the shape of “X”, a signal FIFA uses to show opposition to racism.
The match turned into one of the most controversial tours, while several Messy videos continued to be analysed on social networks for claims about possible racist gestures.
Some Egyptian fans appeared burning Mess fans, while others used them as carpets after their team was eliminated.
Argentina, protagonist of online war
The criticism of Argentina is not unique to the sports arena.
Some posts have gone to geopolitical debates, with comments like “Emergency is Latin American Israel”, while others have presented its success in the tournament as a triumph in the face of a world that opposes it.
The emergency reached the semifinal even though the whole world hates”, it was said in a post that turned into one of the most widely distributed tour memes.
If measured only by online reactions, Argentina has gone from one of the most beloved teams to one of the most negative “ ” of modern football. And the more you win, the more the wave of criticism seems to rise. /Periscope/











