The other parties of the National Team: how were the receptions for the 1978 and 1986 champions

The account is simple -and somewhat exaggerated-: around

tried to enter the ticket purchase site to see the National Team against Panama and without a doubt each of them had 3 other friends, relatives or acquaintances to whom to get a ticket.

Thus, it can be presumed that about 8 million (2x4, the count) of Argentines dreamed of being in the duel that will be played this Thursday at the Monumental stadium.

It is then one of the most requested sporting events in the country's history, a friendly that unleashed a true popular mobilization.

The images of Lionel Messi leaving a well-known grill in the Palermo area in the midst of a flood of people traveled the world and speaks of the passion of the Argentines and the infatuation with the Rosario.

The popular fervor is also experienced by the rest of the members of La

, although to a lesser extent than La

, of course.

Thousands and thousands of people came to the Ezeiza property to ask for a photo, an autograph, a greeting or a look.

The communion between the champions and the public is total.

And as a result of all the

a couple of questions arise:

The 'Pepona' Rinaldi in an action in the friendly between Argentina and Hungary, in 1979, at the Monumental stadium.

Photo: Clarín Archive

The reunion with the 1978 champions happened on Wednesday, April 25, 1979 at the

stadium and against Bulgaria.

It was a 2-1 victory with goals from René Houseman and Daniel Passarella, from a penalty.

The cast directed by Menotti formed with: Ubaldo Matildo Fillol;

Jorge Mario Olguin, Hugo Eduardo Villaverde, Daniel Passarella, Jorge Alberto Garcia;

Juan Alberto Barbas (José Luis Gaitán), Américo Rubén Gallego, Diego Maradona;

René Orlando Houseman, José Omar Reinaldi, Oscar Alberto Ortiz (Hugo Osmar Perotti).

The country, of course, was going through the dark and sinister years of the last military dictatorship.

The friendly match against the Europeans took place within the framework of the "El Gráfico 60th Anniversary Trophy".

The day before the game, the director of the sports magazine, Constancia C. Vigil, and the president of the AFA, Julio Humberto Grondona, went to Casa Rosada to formally invite president Jorge Rafael Videla.

In the photos of the newspapers of the time, you can see them all smiling.

Editorial El Gráfico, April 1979.

Indeed, Videla was at the Monumental, where Guillermo Vilas and Juan Carlos Lectoure also attended, among other personalities.

Despite the fact that 24 hours before the game, 20,000 tickets remained unsold, the stadium looked packed (70,000 spectators).

The collection was 600,000 dollars and the footballers did not show the World Cup.

Videla was in charge of presenting the El Gráfico trophy to captain Daniel Passarella.

The most outstanding player in the friendly was Diego Armando Maradona, who was only 18 years old.

," wrote journalist Guillermo Gasparini in the magazine La Hoja.

assured the Bulgarian coach, Danko Roev.

Friendly Argentina Paraguay 1987 Clarín archive

The reception for the 1986 Mexico champions was surprising: only 5,000 Argentines were at the

stadium to see the 1-0 defeat against Paraguay on June 20, 1987. Carlos Salvador Bilardo's team formed with: Luis Alberto Islas;

José Luis Cuciuffo (Hernán Edgardo Díaz), José Luis Brown, Oscar Ruggeri, Oscar Garré;

Darío Siviski (Claudio Caniggia), Ricardo Giusti, Sergio Batista, Carlos Daniel Tapia;

José Percudani (Oscar Alberto Dertycia) and Juan Gilberto Funes.

The organization of the friendly was a failure because the public turned its back on it

.

It repeats itself: there were only 5,000 Argentines, to which another 5,000 Paraguayans were added.

The match was for the benefit of Argentine Footballers Unionized.

"We lost money," lamented the union's treasurer, José Alberto Pérez, at the end of the day.

But why did people turn their backs on the champions?

Mainly, due to the absence of Diego Armando Maradona.

Until the last moment there was speculation about the possibility of him playing, although Diez just arrived in Buenos Aires the day before the duel, so he could only accompany his teammates and show the champion's medal.

Where was Diego?

In La Rioja, filming a commercial for Japanese television;

In addition, he shared a barbecue with the then governor Carlos Menem. 

but also with a credible football proposal for your demand and your taste.

It is necessary, therefore, to take into account this painful verdict of yesterday.

And try to reverse it"

, wrote

the journalist Horacio Pagani  in

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