Why Argentina Will Always Be My Team

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 reaches the business end of the tournament and Argentina prepares for another semi-final on Wednesday 15th July 9pm SA time, I’ve found myself reflecting on a question I’ve been asked for decades:

“Martin, why do you support Argentina?”

The answer has very little to do with football. It has everything to do with friendship.

It Started in Sea Point

I grew up at 55 St John Road in Sea Point, with one of  the most wonderful families I’ve ever known  the Steverlyncks, an Argentinian family who became a huge part of my childhood.

There were five brothers Carlos, Francois, Nicolas, Eric and Dominic. Eric and I became especially close. We first met at Villa Maria, just off Kloof Street, when we were about five years old.

The Steverlynck home was legendary. Two houses stood on the property (55 St Johns Road ) one for the parents and one for the children. Their blue Kombi ferried us everywhere and the front door always seemed to be open. Everyone was welcome.

One of our occasional babysitters was the comedy promoter Eddy Cassar. We were a handful and I’m convinced we reduced him to tears more than once with our endless childhood mischief.

Surfboards, Salt Water and Summer

Growing up in Sea Point meant life revolved around the ocean. We surfed at Sea Point, Solly’s, Boat Bay and Clifton whenever there was a wave. Those carefree days remain some of my happiest memories.

The Flag That Never Left My Memory

When the Falklands War or the Malvinas War as every Argentinian knows it broke out in 1982, the Argentinian flag flew proudly outside the Steverlynck home from 2 April until 14 June 1982. As children we didn’t fully understand the politics, but we understood loyalty. We stood with our friends.

Falling in Love with South America

There was another experience that quietly strengthened my connection to Argentina.

When I was just 13 years old, my late mother, Lotti, took me on what remains one of the great adventures of my youth aboard the Reina del Mar cruise ship.

Over that unforgettable summer voyage we visited Rio de Janeiro, Santos, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

For a young boy from Oranjezicht, those cities opened my eyes to another world. I fell in love with the warmth of the people, the music, the culture and the unmistakable passion for football. Walking through Buenos Aires left an impression on me that has never faded. Looking back, I realise that trip cemented something already growing through my friendship with the Steverlynck family. Argentina had become part of my story.

South Africa 2010

When South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010 there was only one team I wanted to support – Argentina.

I was working for Sony Music at the time and flew to Johannesburg with one of my oldest friends, Peter Stemmet, now with Al Jazeera Sport. We watched Argentina play Nigeria before attending the quarter-final against Germany.

Argentina lost 4–0, but Pete and I still laugh about that trip today. We had ten tickets between friends and, as Pete always says, ‘Big game. Big seats.’ We were on the halfway line.

Heartbreak and Glory

In 2014 Argentina reached the final only to lose to Germany after Mario Götze’s extra-time winner.

In 2018 they exited against eventual champions France in a thrilling 4–3 encounter.

Then came Qatar in 2022. I was filming with an artist I managed in Askham, north of Upington, watching much of Argentina’s campaign on my phone in temperatures above 33°C. When Lionel Messi finally lifted the World Cup after one of the greatest finals ever played, it felt like football history had come full circle.

And Now…2026

Now the defending champions prepare for another World Cup semi-final, this time against England. Perhaps this is Lionel Messi’s final World Cup. Whatever happens, Wednesday will be special.

Friendship Never Goes Out of Fashion

These days the football conversations happen on a WhatsApp group with Raymond, Jernique, Chad, ‘The Doctor’, Ross and others. Pics of our banter Gang 

 Ross is an Arsenal supporter, so you can imagine the banter  and Peter is working overseas at Al Jazzera 

I still have my Argentina jacket from the 2010 World Cup. 

Sixteen years later it carries memories of friendships that have endured. We’ve all moved on with our lives and careers, but every four years football somehow brings us back together.

Why I Really Support Argentina

For me, the World Cup has never simply been about football.

It reminds me of childhood. Of Sea Point. Of surfing. Of a blue Kombi. Of lifelong friends. Of the Steverlynck family who welcomed everyone into their home. 

Of travelling on the boat the Reina Del Mar to  South America with my late mother Lotti.

 Of Buenos Aires. Of travelling to Johannesburg in 2010 with Peter Stemmet. Of watching Lionel Messi finally lift the trophy in the Kalahari heat.

So on Wednesday I’ll once again be wearing the blue and white.

Not because I was born in Argentina, but because somewhere between St John Road, Villa Maria, a surfboard, the Reina del Mar, Buenos Aires and a lifetime of friendship, a little piece of Argentina became part of who I am.

Vamos Argentina.