Argentina’s vice president’s remarks came ahead of the World Cup semi-final against England and amid a dispute over sovereignty.
Published July 15, 2026
Argentina’s Vice President Villaruel called England “usurping pirates” ahead of the two countries’ clash in the World Cup semi-finals.
“We are playing against usurping pirates. This is not just a game,” Villaruel said in a post to X.
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The iconic soccer match will be held against the backdrop of a protracted sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas Islands, in the South Atlantic Ocean.
“I have no intention of being politically correct or being calm; it’s always something more against Britain,” Villaruel wrote.
“This is the last run of Malvinas, Diego and Leo, to stop the intruders in their path,” she continued, referring to the late soccer legend Diego Maradona and current star striker Lionel Messi.
“Go Argentina! Because until our last breath, we will continue to claim what is ours!” she wrote, echoing the popular national anthem sung by Argentine fans during the tournament.
Villaruel’s father fought in the 1982 Falklands War between the Argentine military dictatorship and Britain over disputed South Atlantic islands.
The conflict lasted 74 days and ended in a British victory, with 649 Argentinians and 255 British killed.
The vice president’s comments contrasted with those of Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and several players, who sought to downplay the political and historical significance of the match.
“This is a football game, plain and simple, so to mix the two is crazy,” Scaloni said.
On Tuesday, Argentina’s Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva announced that fans will be prohibited from bringing flags or other items referencing the Falkland Islands into the stadium under security plans for the semi-finals in Atlanta.
