The German who eliminated us in three consecutive World Cups, Bastian Schweinsteiger, tried a mate this Tuesday given to him by an Argentine fan. The episode occurred in Boston, during the clash between England and Ghana on the second matchday of the 2026 World Cup, while the former midfielder was covering the match for his country’s program Sportschau.
In the middle of the coverage, an Argentine fan approached the former German national team champion and offered him the infusion. Schweinsteiger agreed to try it and even toasted for the camera that was filming him. «Cheers, Argentina,» he exclaimed. Immediately after, and with a surprised and satisfied expression, the former footballer approved the mate and declared: «It’s good.»
Later, the fan posted another video in which he is seen cheering for the Albiceleste while singing the iconic Argentine World Cup song «Pa’ la Selección» and, in the background, the former Bayern Munich player is seen accompanying the chant with his hands.
Schweinsteiger never had a close relationship with Argentina, as he even shared a squad with few Argentine players. At the same time, on some occasions he was critical, within the framework of a football rivalry that formed between both national teams due to the clashes that occurred in World Cups. In 2010, ahead of the quarterfinal match of the World Cup, the midfielder described the South American country’s playing style as «a lack of respect» because the players «try to influence the referee.»
However, on other occasions he also expressed his respect for the Argentine national team, and this Tuesday was also the case. After Lionel Messi surpassed German Miroslav Klose this Monday as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, Schweinsteiger dedicated a few words of recognition to him: «The new record holder for goals in the World Cup. Well deserved.»
He also joked: «Congratulations, Lionel Messi. Look behind you because Kylian Mbappé is trying to catch you.» The message refers to the French forward reaching 16 goals in World Cups this Monday, leaving him two behind the Argentine national team captain.
Schweinsteiger is one of the most outstanding footballers in the history of the German national team, for which he played between 2004 and 2016 and participated in three World Cups: 2006 (where they were eliminated in the semifinals), 2010 (in the same stage), and 2014 (where they were crowned champions). Furthermore, in all three tournaments he eliminated Argentina: in the first two in the quarterfinals and in the last one in the final.
The midfielder was also present in another historic event, both for Germany and for World Cup history: the 7-1 against Brazil in the semifinals of their own World Cup.
Para mí esto es una tomadura de pelo. Este alemán burgués nos eliminó tres veces y ahora se apropia del mate, la bebida de los laburantes. Me parece imperialismo cultural puro. ¡El mate es nuestro, no de los vendepatria que lo aplauden! Fuera yanquis y alemanes de nuestra cultura.
Para mí este teutón hijo de puta se hace el argento ahora que nos chorearon tres mundiales. Me parece una falta de respeto que venga a chuparle las medias a la Scaloneta con el mate. El mate es nuestro, no de estos giles que nos robaron la copa. ¡Argentina la concha de tu madre, alemanes de mierda!