EAST RUTHERFORD — Juan Pablo Sanchez has been on a path to the 2026 World Cup final for 10 years. That’s when he had the opportunity to go to the opening game of the World Cup in Brazil. The hosts defeated Croatia, 3-1, and Sanchez was hooked.
Sanchez, his wife Priscila Damasceno and their 15-month-old daughter Sophie seemed to be a house divided before kickoff of the final between Spain and Argentina on July 19.
Sanchez, a Mexican national, and Damasceno, from São Paulo, Brazil, each wore their national jerseys. American-born Sophie was in red, white and blue.
Though Sanchez is rooting for Spain, the country of his grandparents, he told Damasceno to support Argentina. Apparently, she’s a jinx, sending first her native Brazil, then Mexico, and finally the United States home from the World Cup within 24 hours.
“We’re here to make his dream come true, to come to the World Cup final,” said Damasceno, who met Sanchez in 2014 in São Paulo.
Miguel Faller, Rodrigo Cruz and two other friends had traveled from Merida, Mexico for the World Cup final. Like Sanchez, they were not feeling a spirit of Latin American camaraderie.
“They treat us bad, and they speak bad about us,” said Cruz, pulling a new red Spain jersey out of a brown paper bag. “Even though their economy is one third of our economy.”
Added Faller, “It’s not about Latin America or not, it’s about futbol. Argentina has been favored by the judges this World Cup. There’s no need to. They’re too good. But Spain is better, very good young talent.”
Lony Campos was at the final to support Argentine striker Lionel Messi, as well as his favorite club, FC Barcelona. Half Peruvian and half Salvadoran, Campos was born in Venezuela but now lives in South Plainfield. He spent $11,000 on a ticket in section 101, the north end zone.
Campos wore a replica Messi No. 10 shirt from when Barcelona won the Club World Cup. On his right shoulder, he had Messi’s Argentina jersey, and on his left, a Spain jersey.
Though Messi now plays in Major League Soccer, Campos pointed out that nine members of the Spanish national team play for Barcelona, including teen star Yamine Lamal.
“People call me crazy, and this is probably the craziest thing I’ve ever done,” said Campos, who had saved years of earnings as a waiter at Summit Greek Grill. “I think the best collective teams in the World Cup should get to be in the final, and that’s where they are. Futbol won, I won, and Barcelona, we win.”
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Messi, Spain divide fan interest at 2026 World Cup final
