New York City's "Little Argentina" in Elmhurst, Queens, has changed over the years. It was once a hub for Argentinians who moved to the city, many during the "dirty war" in the 1970s. Now, only a few Argentinian restaurants and bakeries remain.
However, when the FIFA World Cup arrives, the neighborhood transforms. The streets fill with fans dressed in white and sky blue. With Argentina playing Spain in the final nearby, the entire block is decorated in the national colors.
Christian Gimenez, who owns Rio de la Plata Bakery, grew up in the area. He remembers when "everywhere you would go, it was Argentinian." He helps decorate the neighborhood to keep that spirit alive.
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Start Your News DetoxGimenez, 40, says the support for Argentina's team goes beyond the World Cup. A large mural of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona on his bakery wall is a permanent fixture. This mural reminds people of the deep football tradition that has connected Argentinians in New York City for decades, even as the community has spread out.
Beatriz Jaime, 74, remembers watching Argentina beat the Netherlands in 1978 at Madison Square Garden. She then returned to the neighborhood to find it "loaded with people" celebrating. Jaime, who grew up in Queens, says the roots are still strong. "You never forget that. I get goosebumps," she said.
A shop sells Argentina gear in Little Argentina [Joseph Stepansky/Al Jazeera]
For Henry Pachaco, 45, supporting the team is a family tradition. He wore the national team jersey, and his mother wore a shirt referencing Maradona's "Hand of God" goal from 1986. Pachaco calls the block "the center" for Argentinian fans. It offers a stadium-like atmosphere on game days with a closed street, music, an outdoor TV, and street food, all without the high cost.
He feels that Argentina being in the final, possibly Messi's last national team match, and it all happening near New York, brings worlds together. "It's like bringing Argentina to New York," he said. He added that the passion is the same for Argentinians worldwide. "You're always gonna be accepted here and have the best time of your life."
A crosswalk is painted in the colours of Argentina in Queens, NY [Joseph Stepansky/Al Jazeera]
Gimenez agreed, also addressing some racist incidents by Argentinian fans during this World Cup. He said these actions do not represent the fan base. "Whatever your race or whatever your ethnic background is, we don’t look into that," he stated. "If you’re supporting us, we love you. Straight up, just like that."
A New Fandom Grows in Brooklyn
This message resonates in Brooklyn's Kensington neighborhood, known as "Little Bangladesh." The Bangladeshi community there has grown quickly, tripling in the last two decades. Last year, the area elected the first Bangladeshi American to the NYC Council.
Shafiqul Alam, 66, has lived in Kensington for 36 years. He has seen the neighborhood change and develop a strong passion for Argentina's national team. On match days, large screens are set up in public squares. If the weather is bad, people often gather inside his shop to watch on his TV.
"Bangladeshi people love Argentina," he said, "and Argentina loves Bangladesh."
Shafiqul Alam says his shop in Brooklyn becomes an impromptu watch party for Bangladeshi fans of Argentina [Joseph Stepansky/Al Jazeera]
Many things have led to this support for Argentina in Bangladesh. Access to televisions in the 1980s coincided with Maradona's team beating England in 1986. That match had political meaning for countries dealing with British colonialism's legacy. For younger fans, the support often comes down to Lionel Messi.
Sajid Bhuyan, 31, a Kensington resident, believes that at least 90% of the local Bangladeshi community supports Argentina. "Knowing this could be Messi’s last match, everyone will want to watch," he said.
Argentina fan Sajid Bhuyan sits on an NYPD barrier in Kensington [Joseph Stepansky/Al Jazeera]
Bhuyan feels the passion is the same from Little Bangladesh to Little Argentina, even if their reasons for fandom differ. He recalled Argentina's dramatic comebacks in the tournament, including the semifinal against England. "I almost died when Argentina scored the two goals in just minutes," Bhuyan said. "I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk, I had to take five or six minutes to calm down." He added, "So if it happens again, we will enjoy!"
