The song “Muchachos” became the emotionally charged anthem that Argentina’s supporters and players alike sang during the team’s run to a World Cup victory in Qatar last year. It’s a song of past disappointment, unfulfilled dreams and redemption. “Muchachos” carried and inspired Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates through a tense final against France and it’s now synonymous with Argentina’s third World Cup trophy.
Muchachos
Ahora nos volvimo’ a ilusionar
Quiero ganar la tercera
Quiero ser campeón Mundial pic.twitter.com/iGniCxuhqS— FÚTBOL ARGENTINO 🇦🇷 (@TodaLaPrimeraA) December 5, 2022
A new version of the song was released by Inter Miami to coincide with their announcement of Messi officially signing for the club. So, how did the lyrics change and where did this supporters anthem come from?
En Argentina nació, y acá lo podrán ver 🎺🏠 pic.twitter.com/cttcLKzepc
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 15, 2023
The Athletic covered the song’s origins shortly after Argentina won the 2022 World Cup.
The song’s origins go back to Argentina winning the 2021 Copa America, when they defeated eternal rivals Brazil 1-0 in the final in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium. According to leading Argentina outlet La Nacion, “Muchachos” was written by a fan named Fernando Romero. He responded to journalist Matias Pelliccioni’s request on Twitter to “invent a clever song” after Argentina had finally won their first major title since 1993.
“I wrote this after the Copa America… If you like it, I’ll give it to you,” Romero said on Twitter in September 2021. Romero reinvented a 2003 song by Argentine ska band La Mosca (The Fly) titled “Muchachos, esta noche me emborracho” (Boys, tonight I’ll get drunk).
Although “Muchachos” was born after the Copa America, it didn’t truly take off until the World Cup last winter. La Mosca’s version of Muchachos became a hit. Of course, Argentina’s supporters are among the most creative football songwriters in the world, and “Muchachos” certainly delivered to become one of the country’s most iconic fan chants of all time. Messi himself even told Argentine sports site Olé that it was his personal favorite, making it a fitting choice by Inter Miami.
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**Here’s the original version of “Muchachos”: **
_En Argentina nací, tierra de Diego y Lionel / de los pibes de Malvinas que jamás olvidaré _
I was born in Argentina, land of Diego and Lionel / of the boys from the Falklands that I’ll never forget
_No te lo puedo explicar, porque no vas a entender / las finales que perdimos, cuántos años las lloré _
I can’t explain it because you won’t understand / the finals that we lost, I’ve grieved them for so long
_Pero eso se terminó porque en el Maracaná / la final con los brazucas la volvió a ganar papá. _
But it’s all over now because at the Maracana / we won that final against the Brazilians
_Muchachos, ahora nos volvimos a ilusionar. Quiero ganar la tercera, quiero ser campeón mundial. _
Boys, now we can dream again. I want to win the third (World Cup), I want to be a world champion.
_Y al Diego en el cielo lo podemos ver / con Don Diego y con la Tota, alentándolo a Lionel _
We can see Diego in heaven alongside Don Diego and la Tota (Maradona’s parents), supporting Lionel.
After Argentina defeated France in penalties to win their third World Cup, Messi’s teammates altered the song to reflect their massive accomplishment.
“Boys, all that’s left to do is celebrate. We’ve won the third star, we’re world champions. To Diego, we say rest in peace, forever with Don Diego and la Tota.”
Muchachos, ahora solo queda festejar. Ya ganamos la tercera, ya somos campeón mundial. Y al Diego, le decimos que descanse en paz. Con Don Diego y con la Tota, por toda la eternidad. ”
Inter Miami supporters were singing the song at DRV PNK stadium even before Messi was officially announced, so the reworked version didn’t totally come out of the blue. And if you’re keeping track, there are now three versions of “Muchachos” after Inter Miami and La Mosca’s collaboration.
**Here’s the Miami version: **
He was born in Argentina, and you can see him here. From Rosario to Miami, a path that I admired.
I can’t explain it because you won’t understand. The emotions we’re feeling today because our No. 10 is on his way.
But that has all ended. Leo is already here.
Thank you Barcelona. And thank you Paris.
Muchachos. The dream has come true. Welcome Leo Messi.
This is your new home. La Familia, we can see you from the stands.
With our drums and our flags.
Pulling for Lionel.
In Inter Miami’s social media reveal of Messi, the 36-year-old superstar turns to the camera, Miami’s skyline behind him as he wears his new home pink kit. He crosses his arms and says “Yes, boys. We’ll see each other in Miami.”
Sí, Muchachos📍 pic.twitter.com/8E3f9hb9VU
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 15, 2023
From Brazil to Qatar to the United States: The adventures of Messi and his muchachos continue.
(Photo: Lauren Sopourn/Getty Images)
