In the realm of sports, there are instances when the audience focuses beyond the scoreline. They observe values, who speaks up, who remains silent, and what these silences convey.
This notion lingered in my mind throughout the recent World Cup. On the surface, the final match featured Spain against Argentina, two football powerhouses with rich soccer legacies. However, both nations share a history marred by colonization and oppression, which should not be overlooked merely because of athletic achievements.
Racism and the Championship Narrative
The final was not a straightforward narrative of good versus evil. Spain’s colonial past is well-documented, and anyone familiar with history knows this reality. For many Black Americans, the championship game was less about supporting Spain and more about opposing Argentina.
When a fanbase is repeatedly linked to instances of racism, when videos emerge showing Argentinian supporters hurling racial slurs at Black individuals, when the world witnesses Argentina’s national team members singing a racist chant aimed at Black players after their Copa América victory, and when American streamer IShowSpeed faces verbal abuse from fans adorned in Argentina gear, the narrative shifts. Compounding this, there are reports of a hamburger business in Llavallol, Argentina, whose official name uses the derogatory “No, before Messi, Milei. He’s a superstar” version of the N-word: “What’s going on with the Indiana Hoosiers?” Additionally, Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, has publicly embraced views reminiscent of Donald Trump and expressed support for Israel amid the ongoing crisis involving Palestinians. When Benjamin Netanyahu was posed a question on a podcast about his support for Messi, he stated, “She has to be more specific. When Alyssa Thomas was getting death threats, she has to say Alyssa Thomas by name, and say directly to her fans that you cannot have death threats going to Alyssa Thomas in my name the same way we as Jewish people say not in my name for Palestinian rights. She needs to use all of her clout and tell her fans this is unacceptable.” Over time, support began to wane. The achievements on the pitch became overshadowed.
Messi’s Silence on Racism
It’s akin to a college basketball coach whose program appears exemplary. With a stellar winning record and a high graduation rate, his players exude professionalism. Yet, rumors of verbal abuse and a tyrannical coaching style emerge, prompting questions about, “A time comes when silence is betrayal.” Argentina consistently provided reasons for such inquiries, leading us to Lionel Messi.
This aspect makes many uneasy, as Messi is widely adored for good reason. His talent is undeniable and requires no embellishment. His career achievements resonate more profoundly than any debate over his greatness. Whether one considers him the greatest player ever or merely among the elite—shoutout to Pelé—debates merely reflect different facets of excellence. However, on-field greatness does not necessarily equate to moral courage.
Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Craig Hodges, John Carlos, and Tommie Smith have all illustrated this point. Exceptional talent in sports does not inherently imply a willingness to sacrifice comfort for one’s principles. To my knowledge, Messi did not publicly denounce any of the racist incidents involving segments of Argentina’s fanbase throughout the tournament. He failed to address the racist chant that drew widespread condemnation after the Copa América. Furthermore, he has not spoken out following the circulation of videos showing Argentina supporters racially abusing Black individuals.
Emerging Voices of Change
He didn’t even provide the vague, indirect condemnation many critics deemed necessary when Caitlin Clark addressed racist abuse from her supporters. My co-host, Chuck Modi, articulated this on our show, The Collision: Where Sports and Politics Collide:
Messi did not even clear that minimal expectation, offering no public statement regarding the racism exhibited by some of his fans. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. articulated in his Beyond Vietnam speech: “The lion doesn’t need to roar after every meal.” Oftentimes, silence speaks volumes simply because the most prominent voice in the room chose not to use it. This stands in stark contrast to the emerging generation following Messi.
Lamine Yamal has openly discussed his family’s sacrifices, recalling his father’s efforts to scavenge for items that could be repaired or sold to secure food. He describes growing up in a cramped apartment where the kitchen served as both a kitchen and a bedroom. Today, he expresses joy in seeing his mother smile and knowing his younger brother can enjoy a childhood he was denied.
Nico Williams shares a similarly impactful story. His mother, María, traversed nearly 2,000 miles while pregnant, journeying from Ghana to Spain in search of a better life. Years later, her son scored the goal that secured Spain’s World Cup victory and draped his winner’s medal around her neck.
Spain’s success transcended mere tactics, possession, or technical skill. It represented possibility. The team mirrored modern Spain—diverse, confident, and shaped by families’ journeys across borders for a better future. This essence was their most significant statement, surpassing any tactical brilliance.
Following Spain’s triumph over Argentina, one image resonated deeply: Lamine Yamal embracing Messi. It was not an act of taunting or disrespect, but rather a gesture of mutual respect between generations. As an old African proverb states.
Another powerful image was Lamine Yamal kneeling in prayer amidst the chaos that ensued after the match. While others clashed verbally, he chose to pray, illustrating that composure can resonate louder than confrontation.
Lamine Yamal has also demonstrated a readiness to voice his stance on issues beyond football, including expressing solidarity with Palestine. Regardless of public opinion on every stance an athlete may take, the critical point is their willingness to acknowledge that their platform extends beyond the confines of the field.
Jackie Robinson is remembered not merely for his base-stealing prowess. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is recognized beyond his unguardable shot, and Colin Kaepernick is not just noted for his quarterbacking skills. Over time, statistics become mere paragraphs, while character evolves into chapters.
This is why comparisons between Messi and Ali fall short. One transformed football forever, while the other transformed the world.
Many have questioned why so many Black Americans were emotionally invested in seeing Argentina lose. The answer is not complicated. When individuals grow up hearing that sports and politics should remain separate—yet that mantra is only invoked when racism surfaces—they begin to recognize a pattern.
People urged Ali to “What you do speaks so loudly in my ears that I can’t hear a word you’re saying.” They told Kaepernick to “just play football.” They advised LeBron James to “shut up and dribble.” Accusations of being “uppity” were directed at Jaylen Brown. Athletes seem free to utilize their platforms—unless their message makes others uncomfortable.
This has long been the unspoken rule, until it isn’t. This World Cup transcended mere goals because viewers chose to elevate the conversation. Racism, politics, and silence amplified the significance. For many fans, supporting Spain was not an endorsement of Spain’s past but rather a rejection of what Argentina came to symbolize in that moment. Cheering was not about choosing perfection but rather about selecting the option perceived as less harmful.
This may explain why so many were drawn to this emerging generation—not solely for their victory but because they embody the belief that excellence and conviction can coexist harmoniously. To quote Abdul-Rauf from our interview for my bookPolice Brutality and White Supremacy: The Fight Against American Traditions:
“She has to be more specific. When Alyssa Thomas was getting death threats, she has to say Alyssa Thomas by name, and say directly to her fans that you cannot have death threats going to Alyssa Thomas in my name the same way we as Jewish people say not in my name for Palestinian rights. She needs to use all of her clout and tell her fans this is unacceptable.”
“The lion doesn’t need to roar after every meal.”
“What you do speaks so loudly in my ears that I can’t hear a word you’re saying.”
