If you needed a visual representation of what Argentina’s FIFA World Cup win meant to the South American nation, this is it.
A video has gone viral of a young man handing his team jersey to a homeless man on the streets of Argentina‘s capital so he can join the celebrations that are reverberating across the country.
The sheer emotion of the gift is enough to bring a tear to a glass eye.
The man falls to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks as he pulls on his new prized possession. He makes the sign of the cross and thanks his god as onlookers cheer ‘vamos, vamos’ [let’s go, let’s go].
‘He probably hasn’t felt like part of something in a long long time. In that moment he felt accepted, bet that felt amazing,’ a football fan posted on Reddit.
‘I think you’re absolutely right. I’m a little choked up right now. This was a really amazing moment,’ replied another fan.
A third added: ‘I’m flat out crying.’
Another Argentinian supporter comes over to hug the emotional homeless man and welcome him to join the celebrations
The young man gifts the jersey to the homeless man and gives him an embrace as he emotional drops to his knees before putting on the prized jersey
‘Same. For him to feel included in the celebrations when he would have otherwise been an outsider in his own country,’ said another.
‘When people complain about what good does football bring, or why should I care? It’s because of moments like this. It does matter,’ read another post.
The kind gesture was emotional enough in isolation, but it means even more when placed into the context of Argentina’s current economical state.
In a nation battered by a economic crisis and skyrocketing inflation, the World Cup victory comes at a time when many Argentinians are struggling financially, with poverty rife.
The Habitat for Humanity charity has estimated that more than 40 per cent of the population lives in poverty – and the homeless man is far from alone, with men and women pushing carts a common sight on the streets of Buenos Aires and other Argentinian cities.
‘This video really is so touching,’ one fan posted.
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the trophy after winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against France at Lusail Stadium
‘We are social creatures by nature, and acceptance is everything. He is in the streets everyday and likely rarely feels he’s a part of something, but today he is in the streets celebrating with his country. Vamos, vamos Argentina.’
‘Sometimes I wonder, just how many people feel like an outsider in their own country,’ added another.
‘If everyone went through life with that mentality instead of just thinking about them and theirs, the world would be a very different place,’ posted another.
The elation over Argentina’s first World Cup victory since 1986 have spread across the nation and inspired hope.
Fans of the Argentine national team in the city of Buenos Aires supporting their team the day of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup final
Fans of Argentina gather under a mural of late Argentine football legend Diego Maradona as they celebrate winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup against France
‘I feel an immense happiness in my heart because this is the first World Cup I truly enjoy,’ Hector Quinteros, a 34-year-old security guard told Al Jazeera through a veil of tears.
‘This always happens. They always make us suffer.’
‘It was an incredible game, at times anguishing,’ 46-year-old Diego Aburgeily said as he celebrated the win in the Buenos Aires suburbs.
‘This team made people fall in love with them for the first time in decades.’
‘It is an immense joy after so much tension,’ lawyer Nicolas Piry said.