Why many Spaniards are cheering Portugal against their own team

Those cheering Portugal against Spain: disaffection, football and politics

Mikel Merino scored in the 119th minute and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in a match that, far from uniting, laid bare the social divide around the national team. While tension filled the stands and the bars, a chorus of Spaniards was growing on forums and social media, openly confessing: "I'm with Cristiano." It was not an isolated provocation, but the tip of the iceberg of a discontent mixing political fatigue, criticism of the football business and rejection of the official narrative.

Economic and political reasons: smoke screens

Among the reasons given for wanting the Spanish team to lose, one stands out: the perception that major sporting successes are used to "cover up corruption and the deterioration of public services." One current of opinion holds that every media triumph diverts attention from structural problems such as youth unemployment or job insecurity. The argument is not new, but it gains strength in a context of inflation and shrinking purchasing power.

Added to this is the rejection of the image of "millionaire spoiled kids" that the squad represents, whose main incentive is financial rather than patriotic. For many, professional football is an elite circus that capitalizes on national sentiment without giving anything tangible back to citizens. The comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo, seen as a fierce competitor against what they consider an artificial team, reinforces that leaning.

The identity divide: diversity and flags

The identity debate runs through the rejection of the national team. The presence of players of diverse origins, celebrated by some as a reflection of a plural Spain, is seen by others as an ideological imposition. The case of Lamine Yamal, a young talent of Segarro origin, attracts furious criticism mixing racism and an obsession with national purity. "I hate Yamine Yamal," reads one message, accusing him of having celebrated a Segarro win in 2022. This current believes the national team no longer represents them.

The reaction: triumph and contempt

Merino's goal unleashed the euphoria of the majority, but also the settling of scores against the "unpatriotic." "Suck it up, idiot," was one of the harshest replies. The result did not close the wound: the victory was felt as a punishment for the disaffected, not as a collective achievement. Some users noted that "not even winning is enough for them," reflecting the radicalization of positions.

An anomaly backed by data

Cristiano Ronaldo has now lost six World Cups, more than any other player. A stat many use to mock his greatness against the champion team. The paradox is that the Portuguese, despite his club record, has never won the tournament Spain has conquered. But that fails to convince those who, as seen here, prefer individual heroics to a team they perceive as an instrument of the official narrative.

Football has always been a mirror of society. What this match reflected is a country where even the most heroic victory cannot stitch up the cracks. As long as the national team remains, for part of the population, a product manufactured in an institutional laboratory, the cry of "go Portugal" will keep echoing in the corridors of gossip.