Argentina's AFA chief Chiqui Tapia celebrates World Cup unity

A few hours before Argentina’s decisive match at the 2026 World Cup, AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia posted a photo on social media showing Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul sharing mate with him. The message, "Como siempre, todos juntos," was meant to highlight team cohesion ahead of the tournament’s later stages. The post quickly went viral, with fans praising the relaxed atmosphere and the symbolic “cábala” that Tapia repeats before key games.

After Argentina’s comeback win over Switzerland that secured a place in the semifinals, Tapia again used his accounts to celebrate, posting images of himself with the match ball, his trademark black sunglasses, and teammates Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez and Alexis Mac Allister. He wrote, "¡Muy buen domingo, argentinos! Todos juntos a la semifinal," reinforcing the narrative of collective effort and national joy.