Anniversary of Argentina's third World Cup: Bangladeshi tea with a touch of 7-Up

What happens when supporters of a team see it all, from the fall of the Berlin wall to the launch of Facebook, a pandemic, and the birth of 3 generations in between two of its World Cup victories? They never shut up about it! 

After forcing the internet to celebrate the 1st Eid after Argentina won the World Cup, the 1st rainfall after Argentina won the World Cup, their 1st marriage after Argentina won the World Cup, and like a responsible citizen, dutifully informed us of the 1st earthquake after Argentina won the World Cup, netizens gear up for the fully flourished show as 18 December is here, marking a year since Messi kissed the World Cup trophy. 

They plan to observe the fine day by drinking seven up from a cup, the latter of which Brazilian supporters have not been seen to brag about for some time, a representative of the "I only recognise Messi but I'm gonna make it my whole personality" club shares with the Financial Express. 

When asked about their reaction to this information, a Brazil supporter has aggressively let this writer know that they have had 5 World Cup trophies, the highest among the football-playing countries. In addition, they promised to show the Argentine supporters what a Hexa celebration looks like in no time. 

However, when the scribe humbly pointed out that it has been two decades and 5 World Cups of them repeating the statement, he abruptly cut the call and could not be contacted since. 

Putting aside the Brazil vs Argentina rivalry that has become as much a part of our culture as eating jackfruit, quarrelling with the neighbours, and hitting your wife, the Qatar World Cup brings back some beautiful memories for Bangladeshis. It puts together the favourite pastimes of our people in one single event, such as poking others for fun and giving expert opinions on things we know nothing about. 

The 'seasonal football fans' woke up from slumber and found the (unseasoned?) football fans armoured to take them down. Where else would there be a plethora of flags from rooftops to tea stalls, decorations in hues of white and blue, yellow and green, discussions and arguments day and night online and offline, nationwide equal craze among the kindergartener children to old grandpas poking their nose in relatives' business, and a collective prayer in some people's minds that "Oh God, please let Messi have a World Cup but please don't let Argentina win"? Exactly! 

We proudly reminisce the days when Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall of the University of Dhaka became a sensational name among football lovers worldwide and made international headlines because of the unfiltered love and joyful cheers that erupted from thousands and thousands of voices in one open field, all because it had a big LED screen. 

Our love was so compelling that Argentina, as a state, had to recognise this love with wonder and establish an embassy in Bangladesh, strengthening its diplomatic ties with Bangladesh anew. In their victory celebrations, Bangladesh's national flag was flown alongside their own national flag. 

Bangladeshis, too, didn't disappoint in their celebration of the Argentine victory, with extraordinary enthusiasm and happiness, fireworks, sweets, large processions, and anti-Brazil slogans. It is a night to remember for all of us. 

Fortunately, Bangladesh herself doesn't have any hope of qualifying for the World Cup any time soon because we can only imagine the havoc this football-loving nation will unleash to celebrate the occasion and what kind of serious political, economic, and social issues will be overshadowed by it.

 afieaibnat-2021414835@ir.du.ac.bd