World Cup: Argentine VP calls English ‘pirates’ ahead of semi-final

Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel has stoked political tensions ahead of the World Cup semi-final clash against England, labeling the English as "usurping pirates." Her strong statement invoked the lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas.

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Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates. It’s not just another match.

"Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates. It’s not just another match," Villarruel declared on the social media platform X. She added, "I’m not going to be politically correct or keep a cool head, it’s always something more against the English." Villarruel explicitly linked the match to the Malvinas, the late soccer legend Diego Maradona, and the current star Lionel Messi's "last run," urging support to "stop the invaders in their tracks."

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I’m not going to be politically correct or keep a cool head, it’s always something more against the English.

Villarruel's father fought in the 1982 Falklands War, a conflict that resulted in significant casualties on both sides and left the islands' sovereignty contested. Her fiery rhetoric stood in stark contrast to the sentiments expressed by Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, and several players. Scaloni emphasized, "It’s a football match, plain and simple. So, mixing the two would be madness."

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It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last run, and it’s about stopping the invaders in their tracks.

Adding to the security measures, Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva announced that fans would be prohibited from bringing flags or other items referencing the Falkland Islands into the stadium for the semi-final match in Atlanta. This decision reflects the sensitive nature of the historical and political context surrounding the game.

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Go Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will keep claiming what is ours!