On the evening of 18/7, players, coaching staff, and Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia attended the final barbecue before the World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium.

After the meal, Tapia posted a video capturing the event's atmosphere on his personal Instagram account.

Asado is a traditional South American grilled meat dish, made from beef and slow-cooked over coals. Popular cuts include beef ribs, flank steak, chorizo sausage, and offal. Unlike a typical meal, an Asado often lasts for hours, with the grill master preparing food and conversing with family and friends.

For Argentinians, Asado is a part of their cultural life. This dish is associated with the gaucho cowboys on the Pampas plains, where beef is a common food source. Today, Asado gatherings often occur during social occasions, with everyone coming together around the grill.

Messi cooking Asado during the 2022 World Cup. *Photo: Tycsports*

Under coach Scaloni, Asado has become a consistent team activity. During the 2026 World Cup, national team members organized barbecues multiple times before matches. Forward Lionel Messi also regularly hosts barbecues for his teammates, even when playing for Inter Miami Club.

According to Scaloni, shared moments are as important as tactical meetings. Before the quarter-final match against Switzerland on 11/7, the 48-year-old coach said he values his players eating together, playing truco (a card game), and conversing. He even shortened some training sessions to give players more time for Asado.

Explaining this approach, Scaloni referenced his playing career. He said that despite not being an outstanding player, he participated in the World Cup and played for many clubs due to his ability to integrate into a team.

"I became a coach for the feeling of being part of a team, not because of a passion for a 4-3-3 formation", Scaloni said. Asado is the tool he uses to materialize that philosophy before the tournament's decisive match.

By Ngoc Ngan (Source: Tycsports)