"We are very proud' – Argentina's Scaloni thanks fans in Bangladesh for their support

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni on Friday thanked the Albiceleste's fans in Bangladesh for their strong support for the team, as images of the celebrations in the Asian country for the team's victories at Qatar 2022 went viral online.

"What the shirt of the national team has been transmitting for years, with Diego [Maradona], with Leo (Messi), has always been madness for these colours, for that Argentine passion. We're very proud that a country like Bangladesh is supporting Argentina," Scaloni said at his press conference on the eve of the Round of 16 clash with Australia.

"We will always try to give our best, always knowing that it's football. Thanks to the people of Bangladesh," he said.

A message of thanks to the fans in Bangladesh has also been posted on the Argentina team's official Twitter feed.

"Thank you for supporting our team!!! You are crazy like us!" the Argentine Football Association (AFA) wrote, alongside emojis of the Argentine and Bangladeshi flags, and pictures of crowds celebrating Argentina's victories in the country, the eighth most populous in the world with 165 million people.

– TIMES/AFP