Local artisan crafts personalized mates for Argentina's World Cup squad after workshop robbery

Mariano Carboni, an artisan from Gualeguaychú, is experiencing a career highlight as his family business, MC Mates, was commissioned to create 70 personalized "mates" for the Argentine national football team. This significant order comes as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup under coach Lionel Scaloni.

The "mates," traditional South American gourd vessels for drinking yerba mate, were custom-made for each player and coaching staff member. Carboni expressed immense pride for his workshop, calling the job a "huge pride for our entire workshop." The commission was facilitated through a wholesale client who connected MC Mates with the AFA.

Carboni shared that his family has a long history in mate production, with him and his siblings working alongside their parents in earlier years. He eventually left to work in a factory but later returned to the craft, investing with his father and rebranding the business as MC Mates. This journey culminated in the prestigious national team order.

This significant professional achievement arrived as a "caress to the soul" for Carboni, particularly after a challenging period where his workshop was robbed of tools. The AFA's choice of MC Mates over another bidder underscores the quality and appeal of Carboni's artisanal work, bringing a moment of triumph after adversity.