World Cup Success Temporarily Alleviates Argentina's Inflation Woes
Argentina's football team, captained by the legendary Lionel Messi, has made history by reaching the World Cup final. This news has brought a wave of excitement across the nation, with many Argentines watching the matches in bars, houses, and a Buenos Aires 'fan zone', despite not being able to afford tickets to Qatar.
According to a November survey conducted by university speaker and football expert, Ariel Scher, college football significantly influences the social state of mind of Argentines. Scher believes that college football provides 'a joy that is both transient and eternal.' However, he also emphasises that this joy is temporary and does not address the country's other pressing issues.
The inflation in Argentina has been a double-digit problem for decades, with the consumer price index for November at around 6%. In addition, the poverty line in Argentina is over 40%. These economic struggles have not deterred the Argentine spirit, as shown by the nation's unwavering support for their college football team.
A 38-year-old health center worker, Lucrecia Presdiger, encapsulates this sentiment. She states that college football and the economic situation are separate issues for Argentines, who are enjoying the team's success while being aware of the problems. Presdiger is not alone in her sentiment, as more than three quarters of Argentines believe that Argentina's lottery at the World Cup would affect people's morale.
The Argentine Labor Minister, Kelly Olmos, shares this view. She stated that while reducing inflation is important, winning the World Cup would provide joy to the Argentine people. Olmos, who gained media attention for her statements about the team's journey improving the morale of Argentines, believes that an Argentine title win should bring joy to the people.
However, not everyone agrees that the World Cup result will impact the upcoming governmental election in 10 months. Political scientist Raul Aragon dismissed this idea, stating that the election is a separate issue from the World Cup.
Despite the temporary nature of the joy that college football brings, it is clear that the Argentine people are cherishing this moment. Developer Tony Molfese sums it up perfectly, stating that an Argentina victory would be a relief, a breath of fresh air, and a happiness, even if temporary.
As the nation prepares for the World Cup final, the power of college football is evident. It provides a temporary respite from economic struggles, a chance to celebrate, and the possibility of a joy that leaves an enduring memory. Whether Argentina will bring home the trophy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain - the nation's love for college football is undying.
