Football Temple: Documentation from Argentina's World Cup Exhibition - Walla! sport

Argentina national team World Cup Exhibition (Shlomo Weiss)

Israel's youth team will complete its magical journey at the World Cup tomorrow (Sunday, 20:30) when Ofir Haim's campers will be able to tell their children and grandchildren later in life about the tremendous experience they underwent in one of the most intriguing football countries in the world. Until only a few months ago, the association still thought that they would have to deal mainly with security issues in the Muslim country of Indonesia, but in the end the hospitality was taken from the Indonesians and moved to Argentina.

For Israel and in general for all the teams that participated in the World Cup, there was no better time to play in the South American country than the current time. Argentina itself is still riding the waves of World Cup winning, and on every corner of the street you can feel that the Argentines refuse to stop celebrating their third World Cup win. As part of national pride, Argentina decided to put on a temporary exhibition located in the heart of the Palermo neighborhood in the capital Buenos Aires.

An exhibition for every football fan. Messi shirt from the 2022 FIFA World Cup (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

The previous wins are also represented. Kemps' shirt from 1978 (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

Watch: This is what the entrance to the exhibition looks like

Argentina national team World Cup Exhibition (Shlomo Weiss)

If someone expects a dull and trivial exhibition, then already at the entrance to the museum you can feel the intensity that every Argentine has been feeling for over six months. Already at the entrance are huge pictures of the nation's three biggest stars (and excuse us Eva Perón) Mario Kempes, Diego Armando Maradona and the current idol Lionel Messi. For many tourists, Messi is, of course, the greatest, but the presence of Maradona and Kempes makes it clear that for the Argentines it is not at all certain that the situation is similar.

Beyond the second part of the exhibition reveals all of Argentina's matches in the World Cup and Copa America, from the first game until the current cup win, when the real show begins. In the section dedicated to Kemps and his friends at the first win in 1978, it is already clear that this is not just another museum, but a real piece of history. The original ball from that World Cup is punctured, but gives the feeling as if in a moment Laufildo Luca is about to be resurrected, enter the museum and start dribbling. Original shirts by Kemps and some of his friends are also on display and give scents of real magic.

Three of the nation's heroes. Maradona, Messi and Kempes (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

Argentine God. Maradona's shirt from 1986 (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

The transition to the second title, the one named after Argentina's true god, Diego Armado Maradona, is even more impressive. If there was excitement about the match ball in 1978, then the shirt from Maradona's first game at that World Cup is on wide display and if you really try hard you can still smell Daigito's sweat. On the shirt is a special dedication and videos featuring nostalgic footage of that legendary team are displayed with great fanfare throughout the museum.

But with all due respect to Diego and Kempes, most tourists come to feel close to today's stars and above all to the man considered by many in the world to be the best player in the history of the game, Messi. Entering the third win zone begins with a powerful video. A tribune was built in the museum where visitors sit and the video from the first moment causes chills, even for those who wanted Brazil or France to win the tournament.

Music that is both moving and suspenseful presents the great moments and also those that the Argentines wanted to forget about the current World Cup, the disappointments of previous World Cups and finally, of course, the most exciting trophy hoisting in decades.

The Holy Grail (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

Kudos to the heroes of 2022. A statue of Messi with the trophy hoisted in the background (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

If anyone thought that Messi would get the most suspenseful and dramatic moment, then one of the Argentines' favorite players actually gets it, and that is goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibo" Martinez. The video itself stops when France's Randal Kolo Muani faces Deebo and at first you might think that maybe we were dreaming and the ball went in, because how can such an opportunity be stopped at such a moment, but then the film continues and the dream of Argentines and many football fans around the world continues when Martins stops the ball and the suspenseful music becomes more rhythmic.

Beyond the last part of the exhibition is a wax doll of Messi specially prepared against the background of the rest of his friends from the moment he was hoisted, followed by original shirts worn by some of the players at the World Cup, including Messi himself, Alexis McAllister and others, with Martinez's gloves also on display.

Just before leaving the exhibition comes the coolest part, perhaps, when the bus where the players celebrated around Buenos Aires is wide open and you can enter it and even go up to the open floor and feel for a moment as if you are part of the players celebrating the World Cup. At the exit, there is a sense of euphoria that cannot be explained, and in fact makes it clear what a privilege and luck Israelis have who came to see the youth team that the tournament in the end was in Diego and Messi's homeland and not in Indonesia.

Captain. Messi's shirt (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

Scored in the World Cup final. Di Maria's shirt (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

An unforgettable day: just before the 2022 FIFA World Cup final

Argentina national team World Cup Exhibition (Shlomo Weiss)

The team will compete in the third-place match against South Korea. Uruguay, which eliminated Israel, will meet Italy in the World Cup final.

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