Despite attempts by some sectors to pit madridismo against the Spanish national team, the majority of Real Madrid fans will support Spain in the World Cup final against Argentina.
The qualification of Spain for the World Cup final against Argentina has revived an artificial debate about the supposed distancing of madridismo from the national team. Various accounts and journalists aligned with Barcelona have attempted to create a narrative of confrontation, suggesting that white fans should feel uncomfortable supporting a team in which only three Barcelona players are starters in Luis de la Fuente's setup.
An Interested Narrative That Does Not Reflect Reality
The thesis they aim to impose is as childish as it is lacking in rigor: they attribute the authorship of the Spanish national team to Barcelona and, in the same way, they try to appropriate the figure of Leo Messi, ignoring that the Argentine star left the Catalan entity in 2021 due to the club's inability to register his contract renewal.
Regarding Messi, it is undeniable that we are dealing with the most naturally talented footballer in recent history. However, madridismo has no outstanding issues with him. On the contrary: during the peak of the Argentine's glory at Barcelona, Real Madrid won four European Cups, furthering its dominance in the continent's most prestigious competition. The great successes of the white club in this century acquire even more glorious value precisely because they were achieved against a formidable rival that had Messi in its ranks.
The appropriation of the Spanish national team by the culé narrative is equally unsustainable. The national team represents an entire country and not a particular club. It is not merely a matter of arithmetic because only three Barcelona players are listed as starters, but of pure institutional definition.
The Madridista Disaffection Has Deep Reasons
It is understandable that many Spanish madridistas have experienced a profound emotional distancing from the national team due to serious federation scandals, the years of the so-called "villarato," and the recent revelations of the Negreira arbitration network. These are legitimate feelings that should not be judged, as disaffection towards such deteriorated institutions is a natural consequence of the impunity experienced.
However, falling into the trap of rejecting the national team due to the manipulation of certain spokespersons is to grant them a cultural victory they do not deserve. Recovering affection for the Spanish national team and enjoying its success with family and friends is the best response to those who seek to appropriate a shield that belongs to everyone.
The vast majority of Spanish madridistas will support their national team on Sunday with absolute normality, while those who choose not to do so will be within their legitimate individual right. On Sunday, football will deliver its verdict on the pitch and the best response to the provocation will be to see Spain compete for the world crown.
For fans in the Community of Madrid, the final will be an event experienced in bars and homes throughout the region. The match will take place on Sunday at 21:00 hours at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, and thousands of supporters are expected to gather in madridista clubs and in squares set up by local councils to follow the match.
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