Faces of Football: Argentina - a letter to the national team

Dear Argentinian national team, 

To the great people of Argentina, I say cheers! Yes, this is how I start my letter because, today, you are the whole country beating through 45 million hearts. 

You guys have a huge responsibility to shoulder this winter. You will be representing everyone from General San Martin to our people in Malvinas, to every Argentinian in between who had flown our flag down the years. 

Guys, I’m very excited to see how united you are as a team this year. You seem like much more than just a football team, you play the game like friends out in the street.  

I believe that you have found the real meaning of football, the passion and the companionship that underpins the beautiful game. If someone messes with one of you, they mess with all of you. 

We’re very optimistic about this World Cup as, in my opinion, we have the best team at the tournament.

We understand that Lionel Messi, and the rest of the team, are dreaming of winning the World Cup for the Agrentinian people.

I want to tell you that since Germany 2006, I have drawn most of the Argentinian flags that travel to every World Cup. The most epic one was in Brazil 2014 when the Godoy Cruz fans made a 30x100 metre flag, with the portraits of Maradona, Pope Francis and Messi and the quote ‘National Pride' on it. I felt like I was wearing the Argentina number 10 jersey when I saw it.

I send lots of flags to each World Cup in order to cheer the team on, but I’ve never had a chance to travel to a tournament myself. It would be a life’s dream to go to an Argentina World Cup game, and I hope one day that I will. 

Guys, please keep the 45 million back home in your hearts and remember how much it means to them during every game in Qatar. And remember that our 12th man, Diego Maradona, will be willing you on from above to bring the trophy back home. 

Best wishes,

Pepe Perretta