Argentina supporters flooded the streets of New York ahead of Sunday night’s World Cup final against Spain, turning Times Square into a sea of blue-and-white flags, drums and Lionel Messi shirts.
The mass gathering, known as a banderazo, brought the atmosphere of Buenos Aires to the corner of 42nd Street and Broadway before the final across the Hudson River in neighboring New Jersey.
Argentina fans march through New York ahead of the World Cup final
(Video: Nadav Zenziper)
A banderazo, loosely translated as a “show of flags,” is a mass march associated with organized supporter groups. Argentina’s fans have transformed the tradition into a giant carnival before major matches, complete with enormous drums bearing the images of Diego Maradona and Messi, trumpets, flares and endless chants.
Street after street was filled with Argentina flags and Albiceleste jerseys.
The combination of the weekend, the July summer vacation and the huge gathering created gridlock even on the sidewalks. At one point, moving through the area became almost impossible.
Smoke from flares filled the air as Argentina supporters poured in from every direction. Many were not Argentine at all, but New Yorkers and fans from around the world, particularly Spanish speakers, who joined the celebration.
Spain supporters were barely visible, apart from a few scattered fans wearing Lamine Yamal shirts.
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42nd Street and Broadway became Buenos Aires as Argentina fans took over
(Photo: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli)
Maradona remembered, Messi celebrated
Argentina supporters are a defining presence at every World Cup.
They never forget Maradona, the original No. 10, whose image remains on giant flags, drums and shirts. Only Messi jerseys rival his in popularity.
But the crowd was also driven by the desire for another title, both for Argentina and for Messi, 39, in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup match.
אוהדי ארגנטינה
(Photo: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli)
The atmosphere made it feel as though the tournament were being held in Argentina rather than the United States.
Street vendors appeared throughout Manhattan after a day of heavy rain, selling counterfeit shirts and virtually every imaginable item of merchandise bearing Messi’s face.
One of the biggest beneficiaries was Adidas’ Fifth Avenue store. The company supplies the official jerseys for both Argentina and Spain, and long lines formed outside as fans unwilling to settle for $40 counterfeits paid as much as $180 for official shirts.
Messi merchandise remained available. Another athlete’s jersey, however, had become more difficult to find.
(Photo: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli)
Messi in every corner
(Photo: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli)
Deni Avdija jerseys sell out
At the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue, jerseys bearing the name of Israeli basketball star Deni Avdija were sold out.
Store employees attributed the demand to large numbers of Israeli and Jewish visitors, as well as Avdija’s standout season with the Portland Trail Blazers, which included an All-Star selection and a playoff appearance.
Messi shirts could still be purchased, but Avdija’s were temporarily unavailable.
Argentina’s ultras scheduled the start of their celebration for 3 p.m. The carnival continued until around midnight.
This time, however, the gathering carried additional emotional significance for Argentina’s supporters.
The final is likely to be Messi’s last World Cup appearance. The same player whom some Argentines initially struggled to embrace because he grew up in Spain is now regarded by many as the greatest of all time.
Rockefeller Center, Hudson Yards and restaurants across New York were preparing for kickoff.
By the end of the night, Messi could formally cement his status as the king of world football.
And the celebrations that swept Times Square on Saturday may prove to have been only the introduction.