Why Are These Argentinians Cheering for Brazil's Football Team?

Yesterday, Brazil’s football team played against Chile, for the qualifying rounds to the World Cup. And although Brazil was already qualified, the national team had an unprecedented group of supporters: the Argentine team, its main rival in football history.

Why is that? In order to qualify directly to the World Cup, Argentina depended on a victory by Brazil. Because even if Argentina had beat Ecuador, they would risk their chances in the inter-confederation play-offs. 

This unprecedented situation inspired SporTV and J. Walter Thompson Brazil to develop a spot where you can see Argentine fans, very reluctantly, making an effort to learn Brazil’s national anthem and cheering for Brazil. On top of that, the directors of the film are from Argentina- and one of them is half Chilean.

“Our clients are already in the World Cup’s clime, and a situation like that couldn’t be let aside. We look it as a health joke about the rivalry of two of the most traditional times and it contributes to feed the soccer passion,” says Bianca Maksud, director of Sports Marketing of Grupo Globo.

“We found this to be an incredible opportunity to score in a unique moment in soccer and, at the same time, increase the attractiveness for a game of a Brazilian national team already qualified,” explains Ricardo John, CCO of J. Walter Thompson Brazil.