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Amateur Soccer Offers Gritty Economic Lifeline in Argentina Amid Austerity

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • In Argentina, amateur soccer players like Emiliano Migueles earn extra cash on makeshift pitches, known as "potreros," to supplement unstable incomes.
  • These games have surged in popularity amid economic hardship, with formal employment declining under President Javier Milei's austerity measures.
  • Players face high stakes and personal sacrifice, often foregoing rest and social events for the chance to earn money and the adrenaline of the game.

Emiliano Migueles begins his day delivering water, but his true work starts after clocking out, when he heads to the scrappy soccer pitches of Buenos Aires' suburbs. There, he pours his energy into amateur football, seeking to earn extra cash in a country where passion for the sport runs deep.

In a good month, winning matches, I can earn around 500,000 pesos ($350) between my job and the football.

— Emiliano MiguelesDescribing his potential earnings from football on top of his delivery job.

Argentina, a three-time World Cup champion, lives and breathes football. The iconic "potreros," informal dirt fields where youngsters hone their skills, echo the legendary beginnings of stars like Diego Maradona. Many matches on these fields offer players a chance to win cash prizes. While the amounts pale in comparison to European league salaries, they can provide a crucial financial supplement for players struggling to make ends meet.

These informal matches have seen a surge in popularity across impoverished neighborhoods as formal employment dwindles. President Javier Milei's austerity measures, implemented since late 2023, have led to factory closures and slashed public spending, pushing more people into precarious work. Migueles, 26, works with his uncle delivering bottled water, a job with a fluctuating income. According to 2025 data from INDEC, over half of Argentinians under 30 are employed in the informal economy.

I mostly don't bet because I'm always short on cash, that's the reality. Betting isn't something that appeals to me. I love the street games for everything they are, the adrenaline, everything they give you.

— Emiliano MiguelesExplaining his approach to betting and his passion for the game.

The stakes at these potrero games are high. In some, organizers assemble teams, and players and spectators wager money. The winning team shares a small payout, with the rest distributed among winning bets. Other tournaments require an entry fee for a chance at a grand prize, with losers receiving nothing. Migueles, who often doesn't bet due to his own cash shortages, values the adrenaline and camaraderie of the street games above the potential winnings. He dedicates himself fully to football, sacrificing work, birthdays, and social events, often starting his workday on little sleep after late-night matches.

Football is everything to me. I gave up everything for football: work, birthdays, there's no one I haven't sacrificed for soccer.

— Emiliano MiguelesExpressing his deep commitment to the sport.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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