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Argentine dream: Three friends cycled 17 countries and over 10,000 miles to see Messi at the World Cup
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Argentine dream: Three friends cycled 17 countries and over 10,000 miles to see Messi at the World Cup

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Three friends from Argentina cycled over 10,000 miles across 17 countries to reach the 2026 World Cup.
  • Their journey began in August last year, with the goal of seeing Lionel Messi play in what is likely his final World Cup.
  • The cyclists faced various challenges, including navigating unknown routes, carrying heavy gear, and dealing with a car bomb incident in Colombia.

Three friends from Argentina embarked on an epic cycling journey, traversing 17 countries and covering more than 10,500 miles, all with the singular goal of witnessing Lionel Messi play in the 2026 World Cup. Their ambitious adventure began on August 16 of the previous year, setting off from the Gualeguaychú City Hall in Entre Ríos, Argentina.

Miguel Silio, 56, meticulously planned the expedition. The trio, including Yamandú Martínez and Vicente Conculini, cycled through Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. "We left without knowing if we had to go to Vancouver or Mexico City. And between those two places were the other 14 venues. So we headed north, but without knowing exactly how many kilometers we had to cover," Silio recounted.

We left without knowing if we had to go to Vancouver or Mexico City. And between those two places were the other 14 venues. So we headed north, but without knowing exactly how many kilometers we had to cover.

— Miguel SilioDescribing the initial uncertainty and vastness of their cycling route to the World Cup.

Their daily routine involved waking at 6 a.m., consuming large breakfasts, and cycling between 60 to 90 miles (96 to 145 km) per day. Each bicycle carried between 60 to 90 pounds (up to 40 kg) of equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear, and electronics. "You know where you wake up," Silio noted, "but you never know where you're going to sleep."

You know where you wake up, but you never know where you're going to sleep.

— Miguel SilioHighlighting the unpredictable nature of their daily travel and accommodation during the long cycling trip.

The journey was not without significant hurdles. In Colombia, they had to take shelter in a hotel for 24 hours following a car bomb explosion on the road they were traveling. "The authorities evacuated us from the road, and the next day we saw the charred remains of the truck," Miguel recalled. They also endured various other falls and bouts of stomach problems throughout their extensive travels.

In early June, the cyclists finally reached Kansas City, where the Argentine national team was based. They were warmly welcomed by fellow fans of the Albiceleste, who greeted them with national flags. The friends managed to get close to the team's hotel, even interacting with head coach Lionel Scaloni and AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, fulfilling their dream of reaching the tournament to support their idol Messi.

The authorities evacuated us from the road, and the next day we saw the charred remains of the truck.

— Miguel SilioRecounting the experience of a car bomb incident they encountered in Colombia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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