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Opinion | Lionel Messi Is the Right Man for Argentina’s Post-Macho Moment


The female player’s actions are in line with the blossoming of the feminist movement known as #NiUnaMenos, or “Not Less”. Formed as a collective in Argentina spreading throughout Latin America, #NiUnaMenos has organized general strikes and protests to protest against gender-based violence. #NiUnaMenos defined gender equality in a broad sense, calling for reproductive rights, transgender rights, and racial and class equity. Legalizing abortion in 2021 – no wonder in a Catholic country shaped by a military regime promoting conservative ideology of gender – is Mostly results of this activity.

Fans are also starting to react faster and more aggressively to incidents of sexism. In the late 2010s, Argentine feminists established gender committees in football clubs, rewrote old club regulations, questioned discriminatory chants. and create safer spaces in stands and clubhouses for LGBTQ-identifying women and fans.

As waves of purple scarves, the symbol of #NiUnaMenos, flood the streets of Argentina’s cities, Lionel Messi continues to thrive at FC Barcelona. He married a childhood friend and become a sly father of three. Again, unlike the childish and untamed “boy”, Messi seems to really enjoy taking care of his children. And he continues to amaze the defenders and spectators. He has won the Ballon d’Or, the award for the best player in the world, a record seven times; he played for a team that won the Champions’ League; he became the all-time top scorer in Argentine history; and finally, he led Argentina to victory over Brazil in the Copa América 2021.

Through it all, Lionel Messi has defied every trick in Argentine football in his own lighthearted way. Football stadiums are part of a sexist ecosystem where displays of misogyny and homophobia are common; Organized fans known as “barras bravas” created terrifying conditions during matches. Messi has denied this violence, partnering with his hometown, Rosario, in his campaign against violence in stadiums. ‘s campaign public service video there are brutal images of fans attacking each other while Messi cries.

The Argentina team and their coach, Lionel Scaloni, have played as important a role in redefining masculinity in football as Messi. Although most of the team’s members play for European clubs, they grew up in Argentina’s youth academy, which export hundreds of players each year to move to leagues from Indonesia to Indonesia. America. In 2018, the boys in these academies came forward report sexual abuse they suffer there. Their experience has helped reverse the stigma associated with sexual violence.

It would be an exaggeration to assert a symbiotic relationship between Messi and the feminists back home. And, of course, discriminatory behavior continues to plague football in Argentina. In this World Cup qualifier, Argentina receive fines and penalties involved racist gestures and homophobic chants among fans. But there’s no denying that there has been a push from grassroots activists to reconsider what values ​​really matter in Argentina’s national pastime. They have punctured crude models of heroism, laying the groundwork for an image that seems more suitable for Messi.

A tinkling track called “You deserve this trophy” features fans shouting, “I don’t want anything without Leo.” Whether or not Messi can lead his side to victory over the Netherlands, to the semi-finals and beyond, he can finally enjoy the affection he has always sought from his homeland.

Brenda Elsey (@politicultura) is a professor of history at Hofstra University and co-author, most recently with Joshua Nadel, of “Futbolera: A History of Women’s Sports in Latin America.”

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