Soccer

Soccer is more than a sport, but a passion in many Latin American countries such as it is in Argentina.  Although it is probably overshadowed by Brazil, soccer has been important part of social life in Argentina. In Buenos Aires alone, there are 24 professional teams, more than any other city in the world. Some of the biggest teams are the Boca Juniors, the most popular team, River Plate, and many others. Each team represent the neighborhoods rather than individual cities and most root for the team they grew up in and family loyalties. Argentina has played in the World Cup since 1930 and have hosted and won in 1978 and won again in 1986. The best known soccer player, Diego Maradona, played for the Boca Juniors and was part of the winning team in 1986. The fans are also what make the soccer game interesting. The stadiums are filled with fans singing and taunting, but clashes with the police. Like any culture, sports help to unite fellow fans of their team and also have a common enemy (the other team). I chose this as an important artifact because soccer is what makes people from different walks of life join together to support their own team or the Argentinean team in the World Cup.