Argentina's vice president Victoria Villarruel has ignited political flames ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against England, labeling the English "usurping pirates" in a fiery social media post.
"Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates. It's not just another match," Villarruel declared on X, making clear she had no intention of holding back her feelings toward the old rivals.
The heavyweight encounter carries weight far beyond football, set against the enduring sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands — known in Argentina as the Malvinas — in the South Atlantic Ocean.
"I'm not going to be politically correct or keep a cool head - it's always something more against the English," Villarruel wrote. "It's the Malvinas, it's Diego, it's Leo's last run, and it's about stopping the invaders in their tracks," she added, invoking the memory of the late Diego Maradona and current talisman Lionel Messi.
"Go Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will keep claiming what is ours!" Villarruel continued, echoing a popular anthem sung by Argentine supporters throughout the tournament.
The vice president has a deeply personal connection to the dispute — her father fought in the 1982 Falklands War between Argentina's military dictatorship and the United Kingdom. The 74-day conflict ended in British victory, claiming the lives of 649 Argentines and 255 Britons.
Her combative tone stood in stark contrast to the measured approach taken by Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni and several of his players, who have deliberately downplayed the political and historical weight surrounding the fixture.
"It's a football match, plain and simple. So, mixing the two would be madness," Scaloni stated.
Meanwhile, Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva confirmed on Tuesday that under the security plan for the semi-final in Atlanta, fans would be banned from bringing flags or other items referencing the Falkland Islands into the stadium.