SoccerWise - Special Kickback '26 Argentina Pod

Episode Date: December 22, 2025

Hey Soccerwise crew this is David dropping a sample of our new podcast "Kickback '26". We have built a capsule like this for every country that has qualified for 2026 World Cup so far. They all follow a similar format covering the history of the sport, top world cup moments/soccer moments for each country, urban legend or unsung heroes, and young players to know. All the episode are between 10-18 minutes long so consumable and easy to binge! About a quarter of them have interviews as well, of course not all as incredible as the great Diego Valeri. Please follow the link below if you enjoy this and share with anyone you think might like it as well!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kickback-26/id1857994985https://open.spotify.com/show/1Vx00ibBgMbgB5Y2LaQ8WN

Hey, everybody, your host, David Goss here. Wanted to drop an episode on this feed of our newest podcast series, Kickback 26. It is a quick 10 to 20 minute intro to every single country that's qualified for the World Cup. We have custom music that was made for us by a special artist. We also use local music from every single country. We talk about the history of the game, where the team sits right now, its trajectory, the belief in what the team can do at the World Cup, but also the culture of the game in those countries and how it ties to the culture of

those nations. I'm really proud of the work we've done. Here's an example with one episode for you to enjoy, and if you do, please share it with anyone you know. Close your eyes. When I say the phrase, World Cup, what is the first thing that pops into your head? Guarantee for many of you,

you are seeing the blue and white of La Albi Celeste. You're seeing maybe the bouncing hair of Diego Maradona, the triumphant smile of Lionel Messi. There are a few teams as synonymous with the world's Cup the way Argentina is.

And they'll be out to defend their crown in North America in 2026. Welcome to Kickback Soccer Media's World Cup capsule. We'll learn everything you need to know about all 48 of the national teams competing at the 2026 World Cup. In the history of the game, the nation's current World Cup trajectory, unsung heroes, greatest moments, soccer culture, and so much. much more. Today, we are talking about the three-time World Cup champions, Argentina. I think Argentina has born for soccer, and that's why it's so powerful the passion we feel

on the game. That's Diego Valeri, an Argentine, retired footballer, and Portland Timbers legend who grew up in Argentina and knows how deep the game runs in that country. In Argentina, soccer is the way we leave. The game goes back almost as far as any country outside of the British Isles. It starts with immigrants bringing the game in the 1800s. The Brits, of course, were a part of it, but specifically influential were the Scottish. They brought it and played it first in schools. The first league was started in 1891, which is the fifth oldest in the world and the AFA.

The Argentine Football Association known as Afa was founded in 1893. In 1901 was the first international against Uruguay. In the first ever World Cup, they played in 1930. But back then, it was the rivalry through the first ever World Cup in 1930 and across a number of Olympics, Copa Americas, and then other tournaments that were starting, so the two could face off. The secret to the game for Argentina, is its identity in La Nuestra.

What we call La Nestra, so our own style, we take care about the ball, but at the same time we are a big team, at the same time we have great individuals. We've got to play the game and defend our colors and our way to play and respecting everybody, but thinking that we can be better than any other.

You know, that's a big part of Argentina and style of play. Argentina's World Cup history is long and lengthy. It goes back, of course, all the way to the first World Cup at their neighbor's Uruguay in 1930 and spans through the 2022 victory. We don't have enough time to go through all of it. But three World Cup champions, as well as 16 Copa Americas, shows the success of this national team at the world stage. Obviously, 78 was great because it was in Argentina World Cup, right? The team was fantastic.

But in the 86 with Maradona, winning a championship outside Argentina, now the same in the 2022 with Maradona and Messi. I think those two events were the most important of Argentinian soccer history. Now, every time they've gotten to a high high, it has come off a low heartbreak. They were knocked out in the group stage in 2002 and, of course, lost in a high high. final. One with Diego Maradona in 1990 and another with Messi in 2014. He had played in four World Cups, including that Brazil final, had played in three Copa America finals, had won seven ball and doors, four UEFA Champions League and 10 La Liga's. But he had never won the World Cup,

and that was all that was left. He retired from the national team after the 2016 Copa America final. But he was convinced back by the fans who pleaded for him, especially the young fans who hadn't grown up with Maradona who loved what Messi brought to the team and eventually he won his first international championship with the squad at the 2021 Copa America held without fans in Brazil during COVID. So 2022 in Qatar was the time the whole world was waiting for. But of course, for Argentina, it always has to start with heartbreak. They lost the opening game to Saudi Arabia, the lowest ranked team that they would face the whole tournament. But Then Messi woke up.

With Lionel Scoloni setting up the team to work for Messi, with pit bulls like Rodrigo de Paul protecting him, he went on to lead the team to the promised land. Messi scored in all but one group stage game, carrying them through to the knockout rounds against Australia. A heated extra time affair versus Netherlands in the round of eight is where Messi's legacy grew. He got in a fight with Louis Van Hall afterwards.

He called him an idiot. in Spanish. He then led his team to knock out reigning runners up Croatia and reigning title holders France in that PK final shootout. The final was insane. It was fantastic, so emotional, right?

And after the game, Messi celebrating, it was, you know, so epic, epic moment. I was there in Buenos Aires when Argentina and Messi won the World Cup and I went to the streets, right after millions of people, millions of people in the streets. Actually, there's, you know, it was impossible to walk.

And, but it was, I think it was an epic, epic moment. The whole, you know, country was waiting for it. The defending champions faced a generational handoff they thought post-Messy. Scoloni's tactics have remained the same. He's balancing grit and flair. emphasizing the team structure. But Messi's remained in the side, and Argentina cruised through World Cup qualifying.

Argentina won their first four matches out the gate and never looked back. They clinch first place in Commonwealth so early that the final round of games they're able to sit Messi, thanks to that. They finished nine points clear of second place, Ecuador, to lock in their spot and a shot at a back-to-back World Cup for the first time since Brazil did it in 1958 and 60. The only other time is before World War II when Italy won it in 34 and 38.

I think Messi in this World Cup, probably he will enjoy it as any other workup. I don't think the pressure is off because there's always internal pressure, right, to perform. He played in a very mature way in last World Cup. That's why probably he performed the way he performed because he got a great team on the side. He still made the difference.

And I think it's a big chance that's going to happen again. and for him to keep making a difference with the amazing team Argentina has right now. There's a number of names of players who are hoping to elevate to fill Messi's Shoals when he chooses to step away. You've got a group at Athletico Madrid. Julian Alvarez, who was Messi's partner up top through much of the 2022 World Cup at 25 years old seems ready to star. Tiago Almada, his teammate at Atlago Madrid has worn Messi's number 10 in his place,

and legendary Argentine Diego Simeone's son has been running alongside them in the attack across La Liga and UEFA Champions League. But the name on everyone's lips is Franco Mastantoono. The 18-year-old signed by Real Madrid from River Plate. He's the youngest to ever wear the number 10 in an official Argentine game. He beat Diego Maradona's record. He's the youngest goal scorer in River Plate Club history, beating out Javier Saviola. He's the youngest throwover score in a Super Classico with a banger of a free kick against Boka Juniors,

and he's the third youngest debutant in River's illustrious history back in 2024. Moving to Europe, he continued to set records where he is now the youngest starter in Real Madrid's history in a UAFoot Champions League game. Struggling with injuries right now, he is a big but quick, electric winger who can come in and create goals and chances for his team and is looking like he will be the next superstar for Argentina. The man he's trying to emulate, the man Messi tried to emulate, is one of the walking gods of the game. Diego Maradona was at the center of the greatest moment. in Argentine soccer history. In 1986, he scored two goals against England in the quarterfinals. One is called the Hand of God. The other, the goal of the century. Both in the same match. National pride was on the line. This was a release and revenge from the anger coming out of the

Falkland Wars that Argentina and England fought. This quarterfinal against England meant everything to this team. Maradona was in his prime. His first World Cup as captain, he had five goals and five assists in Mexico, and he took revenge against England. The opening goal of the game is a ball that gets lofted

to the top of the box. England's goalkeeper, one of their legends, Peter Shilton, comes out to claim it. Diego Maradona rises up into the air and heads it on, past the goalkeeper, and in. On second review on replay,

it looks as if it's, His hand is just alongside his head and takes a touch off his fist and into the goal. When asked after the game if he had used his hand, Diego Maradona said a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God. This drove fans from England nuts. The hand of God is very important for the people. It's like it's epic too. It's epic. Happily, it was no bar, no BIAR there.

Now I want to point out in all of this, But even if Diego Maradona used his hand, he is listed at 5 foot 5. Chilton's listed at 6 foot. It shows on top of the intelligence, the soccer IQ, the moment, the balance for Diego Maradona, the pure athleticism as well. You don't have to take my word for it because four minutes later, he went on a run to score the greatest goal in World Cup history. It took 11 touches, started in his own defensive half. He dribbled by five English outfield players before finally going around and slotting it past

the goalkeeper in Peter Shelton once again. Looking at the driveling and that run, it's so insane, right? It's so fantastic and so perfect. Either of these moments would be the crowning legacy for any individual player. But Diego Maradona did both, and he did so on the biggest stage. The game is connected to every moment of life in Argentina.

Kids playing in the street. Tango and football are tied together. The identity that every club that exists has to social political classes, to family allegiance. It is the most important thing in all of Argentina. I think why in Argentina soccer is so strong is because all of these community places, right? Community clubs. You have thousands and thousands of those clubs

almost in every block of Buenos Aires and Argentina. Most likely Buenos Aires, but overall in Argentina. And that's so powerful. It's a way to live, as I say. It's the way we spend the whole day. Playing in those clubs, playing in the streets and those clubs, making teens, competing, and... And that became part of the cultural, right?

So side of the, it's part of a culture. And then, you know, that goes through families, go through generations, go through kids that dreams to become and represent, become soccer players professionally, and then represents their color, their community, their club. Argentina will play in Kansas City and Dallas for their group games and hopefully a few more as they progress in the knockout rounds. And according to Valeri,

residences of the USA will be in for a treat when Argentine supporters come to town. I think the people of those cities will experience something that is unique in the world. It's a party. It's a celebration. It's like the end of the world, every game. And they're going to experience that. I think it's the right way to do. It's the only way to do it. Support your team, your country, your club in that way. That's Argentina. To leave you with a fun fact, Buenos Aires. has the most bookstores per person of any city in the world. It makes sense why Argentina's soccer magazine El Graphico

was considered the soccer Bible for almost 100 years. It is a big reason that Messi ended up being unearthed, and it's worth going and looking up and learning more about if you've got the time. If you're looking to learn more about this World Cup, we do this for every single country. We're going to have you fully primed as the World Cup, comes up. We've got a ton of coverage. So make sure to follow us at Kickback Anywhere on your social medias and listen to all of our shows anywhere you get your podcast.