As Argentina's World Cup 2026 gathers momentum, the Albiceleste faithful have found a new soundtrack.
Four years after 'Muchachos' became inseparable from the team's triumphant run in Qatar, a fresh terrace anthem, 'La cuarta estrella' ('The Fourth Star'), has erupted in stadiums across North America and is now being sung by Lionel Messi and his teammates as their title defence continues.
The song gathered momentum among Argentina supporters before being embraced by the squad following Tuesday's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in Atlanta, which sealed a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
A video shared by the AFA Argentine Football Association on Instagram showed a jubilant group of players led by Enzo Fernández, Lautaro Martínez and Nicolás González singing: "Soy hincha de la selección, la aliento con el corazón" ("I'm a fan of the national team, I support it with all my heart") as they bounced in celebration.
Like 'Muchachos,' the anthem that became synonymous with Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, 'La cuarta estrella' references both Diego Maradona and Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, the subject of the 1982 war with Britain.
Its chorus declares: "Quiero ver la cuarta estrella brillar en la camiseta... Por Malvinas, por el Diego, por la última de Leo, Argentina quiero verte bicampeón" ("I want to see the fourth star shining on the shirt... For the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo's last dance, Argentina, I want to see you crowned champions again"), a refrain now echoing around the team as they prepare to face Switzerland in the last eight.
In keeping with a long Argentine football tradition, the lyrics are set to the melody of a well-known popular song. 'La cuarta estrella' uses the music of 'No me arrepiento de este amor' ('I Don't Regret This Love'), the classic hit by the late cumbia singer Gilda.
The adaptation was written by Argentine musician Pablo Quintana, better known as 'Palmito,' who reacted with disbelief after seeing the national team adopt his song.
"I did it, Mum, look!!!!" he wrote on social media alongside the AFA's official video of the players singing his creation.
Quintana did not respond to a request for comment.
– TIMES/AFP
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