Netanyahu cheers on Argentina ahead of World Cup final

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support for Argentina ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, sending a personal message to President Javier Milei in a meeting with Buenos Aires’s ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish.

During the meeting on Saturday night, Wahnish played an audio message from Milei, who thanked Netanyahu for his support.

“You are my friend, always supporting us,” Milei said. “I was happy to hear that you are rooting for Argentina because of me.”

Netanyahu responded by praising the Argentine leader, one of Israel’s closest allies on the international stage.

“Javier, you are a friend. A true friend,” Netanyahu said. “We support you and we support Argentina in so many ways, including tomorrow. Good luck!”

Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, faces Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in his office with the Ambassador of Argentina to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, and wished great success to the Argentine national team in the World Cup final taking place tomorrow.Ambassador Wahnish presented the Prime Minister with… pic.twitter.com/2x3pYAxA9b

Israel and Argentina have strengthened ties since Milei took office in December 2023. The Argentine president has repeatedly expressed strong support for Israel following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, visited Jerusalem several times and pledged to move his country’s embassy to the Israeli capital.

Ahead of the final, the match has taken on political overtones in some quarters, with Argentina’s pro-Israel stance under Milei contrasting with Spain’s pro-Palestinian posture. Online, some anti-Israel activists have targeted Messi with antisemitic conspiracy theories falsely portraying him as an Israel supporter who is controlled by Jews.

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