During celebrations with fans after the match on 11/7, Argentina players joined supporters in a chant: "I am Argentinian from birth until death, for Las Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo's final run. Argentina, I want to see you successfully defend the championship".

Lionel Messi (number 10, center) and his Argentina teammates celebrate their 3-1 victory over Switzerland in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals at Kansas City, Missouri, US on 11/7. Photo: AP

The Argentina national team's chant quickly ignited controversy, as it was sung just days before their World Cup semi-final match against England. These two teams share a unique history of rivalry both on and off the pitch.

"Las Malvinas" is the name Argentina uses for the Falkland Islands, a small territory in the South Atlantic currently administered by the UK. Argentina also claims sovereignty over these islands and deployed troops to the Falklands in 1982, triggering a 74-day war with the UK.

Hostilities concluded after British forces landed and retook control of the Falklands, compelling Argentinian troops on the islands to surrender in June 1982. The conflict resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentinian military personnel, 255 British military personnel, and three residents on the islands.

Despite the conflict ending more than four decades ago, the sovereignty dispute over the Falklands remains unresolved. Argentina continues to regard the islands as an inalienable part of its territory, pursuing its claim through diplomatic channels and international forums.

Many English veterans who participated in the war on the islands believe that the Argentina team's inclusion of the sovereignty issue in a football chant is inappropriate.

"It's insulting to those who died, including Argentinians. They are singing a song that means nothing, it's silly and irrelevant. None of these players were alive in 1982. It's childish", Simon Weston, a veteran wounded in the conflict, told the British newspaper, The Sun.

Weston argued that linking a football match to the sovereignty issue diminishes the significance of past losses. "It shows how we have belittled the losses and sacrifices for self-determination. The islanders deserve to live their lives in peace", he stated.

Weston also expressed his hope that the England team would win the semi-final match in Atlanta, precisely because Argentina sang that song.

Former British admiral Chris Parry, who served in the Falklands War, also opposed the players referencing the sovereignty dispute before the semi-final. "It's ridiculous that they are singing this song", he remarked.

Parry believes that football should not be drawn into political matters. "They need to be very careful when reigniting this issue. I do not think they should bring politics into sports in that way", the former admiral added.

David Beckham (right) reacts after a clash with Argentina captain Diego Simeone, which led to him receiving a red card in the England versus Argentina match in the round of 16 of the 1998 World Cup at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Saint-Etienne, France on 30/6/1998. Photo: AFP

Jeremy Larken, former commander of the British warship HMS Fearless during the conflict, expressed a similar view. "Their singing about the war is disrespectful".

He added that he still hopes England will use this incident as motivation before the semi-final. "I am delighted England have got this far and if Harry Kane and his teammates can turn this into motivation, then all the better", Larken commented.

Lisa Watson, editor of the Penguin News newspaper on the islands, noted that the match evokes many memories for local residents. "In Argentina, there are always some sloganistic statements from someone. This time brings many emotions for everyone here. There is no denying that this match carries a lot of historical weight", she said.

The Argentina national team and the country's Football Association have not yet commented on these reports.

Beyond referencing "Las Malvinas", the Argentina players' song also mentions Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. The lyrics include lines about "Diego" and "Leo's final run", alluding to Maradona and Messi's last World Cup in his international career. The song also urges Argentina to successfully defend their World Cup title.

Argentina will face England in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals in Atlanta. This marks Messi's first encounter with the England national team in any competition.

Hoang An (According to The Sun)