Argentina's World Cup Spirit Captured
Rodrigo Abd's Extraordinary Photo Reflects Argentina's World Cup Passion Through a Dog Walker
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A single photo is capturing the world's attention and saying everything about Argentina's love for the World Cup. Veteran AP photojournalist Rodrigo Abd shot a Buenos Aires dog walker named Nahuel Meneghini dressed in a handmade Lionel Messi number 10 jersey — surrounded by a pack of dogs all wearing matching jerseys too, according to AP News.
Abd is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner known for covering the Syrian civil war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Now, he turned his lens on something quieter — but just as powerful. The image went viral as Argentina competed in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, AP News reported.
Dog Walker Made Jerseys for His Entire Pack
Meneghini did not just wear Messi's famous number 10 himself. He made small jerseys for every dog in his care and dressed them all in Argentina's sky-blue and white colors, according to The Messenger. He walks dogs professionally in Buenos Aires and turned his daily route into a show of national pride.
Abd spotted the group and immediately knew he had something special. "It illustrates how passionate Argentines are about the World Cup," he said, according to KDH News. The photo shows Meneghini walking a large group of dogs down a city street, every one of them dressed for a World Cup match.
Abd Saw the Shot and Did Not Hesitate
Abd has spent years in war zones with his camera. He covered the fall of Aleppo in Syria and frontline fighting in Ukraine. But he said capturing everyday moments of passion can be just as hard — and just as rewarding, according to Daily Item.
He was working the streets of Buenos Aires during the tournament when he came across Meneghini and his dogs. Abd framed the shot to show the jerseys clearly on both the man and the animals. The result was an image that needed no caption to explain Argentina's World Cup fever, Daily Item reported.
Messi's Number 10 Is a National Symbol in Argentina
Lionel Messi is more than a soccer player in Argentina. His number 10 jersey is worn by fans of all ages across the country during every World Cup match. Seeing it on a dog is funny — but it also makes a serious point about how deeply the sport runs in Argentine life, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
Argentina went on to win the 2022 World Cup, beating France in a dramatic final on penalties. Messi scored twice in that final. The passion Meneghini showed in his neighborhood — and that Abd caught on camera — turned out to mirror the national mood exactly, Seattle PI reported.
One Photo That Says More Than Words Can
Abd's image has been widely shared as an example of what photojournalism does best. It tells a story without a single word. It shows culture, humor, and deep emotion all at once, according to Leader Telegram.
For Abd, the photo is a reminder that great images can come from anywhere — not just conflict zones. "It's difficult to describe just how passionate Argentines are about the World Cup," he said, according to Oskaloosa. This photo does the describing for him.
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