Chiqui Tapia: Argentina's football chief under fire

Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia has maintained his grip on the presidency of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) since March 2017, navigating a path of power consolidation while facing numerous legal inquiries. His tenure has been marked by significant success for the national team, a stark contrast to the struggles of the domestic league.

The national team's resurgence under coach Lionel Scaloni, who was appointed by Tapia, has been remarkable. Scaloni led Argentina to a World Cup title, two Copa América championships, and the Finalissima, fulfilling Lionel Messi's lifelong ambitions and restoring seriousness to the national teams' structures across all age groups and the women's team.

However, Tapia faces persistent criticism regarding his management of Argentine football. Accusations range from questionable tournament formats and internal competitions to suspicions surrounding refereeing and the use of technology. The financial disparity is stark: while the AFA profits immensely from the national team's success, the local league's 30 teams often lack resources, with meager prize money for champions, such as the 200 million pesos (approximately $145,000) for the 2025 Copa Argentina winner, compared to substantial international prizes.