For many fans at this World Cup, the equation has been simple: support whoever plays Argentina.

From Algeria and Cape Verde to Egypt, Switzerland and even England in the semifinals, teams with vastly different footballing pedigrees have found unexpected backing from one common group -- those determined to see Argentina lose. Sunday's final means many of those fans will now be cheering for Spain.

Rival supporters backing each other's opponents is nothing new in sport. Yet this World Cup has seen an unusually visible wave of anti-Argentina sentiment, particularly across social media.

The paradox is striking. Argentina are three-time world champions, record 16-time Copa America winners and the home of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, two of football's greatest icons. Their global popularity is unquestioned. So why do they also provoke such strong opposition?

Reuters traces the answer through history, culture and football itself.

Maradona's Enduring Shadow

Maradona elevated Argentina's image while also fuelling controversy.

His legendary "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final remains one of football's most divisive moments. Four minutes later, he scored the "Goal of the Century" after weaving past five defenders and goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Many English fans still regard the first goal as blatant cheating. For many Argentines, however, it symbolises defiance against a stronger power and revenge for the 1982 Falklands War, known in Argentina as the Malvinas conflict.

After beating England 2-1 in this year's semifinal, Argentina's players displayed a banner reading "Malvinas are Argentine", reviving the political dispute and risking FIFA sanctions, which prohibit political messages.

Maradona's legacy also carries the stain of his failed drug test at the 1994 World Cup, which led to his expulsion from the tournament. Many Argentines still believe that the World Cup was "stolen" from them.

A recently circulated dressing-room video featuring a new team song references avenging that perceived injustice.

The Messi Effect

Messi has become both Argentina's greatest ambassador and, for some, its biggest source of resentment.

Soft-spoken away from the pitch but devastating with the ball, he has dominated world football for more than two decades and remains Argentina's most influential player at 39.

His rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo has split football supporters worldwide into fiercely loyal camps.

Ironically, Messi himself once faced relentless criticism at home. While he inspired Barcelona to countless titles, success with Argentina initially proved elusive. After losing the 2014 World Cup final and back-to-back Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016, he briefly retired from international football.

His return transformed everything. Argentina won the Copa America in 2021, the World Cup in 2022 and another Copa America in 2024.

His presence attracts millions of supporters, from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan to every corner of the globe. But others have grown weary of what they see as constant Messi-centric adulation.

National Pride and Controversy

Argentina's image in Latin America has long been complicated.

The country's strong European cultural influence and football identity have fostered a belief in national exceptionalism that neighbours often interpret as arrogance.

Supporters are renowned for passionate displays, but critics say that passion sometimes crosses the line.

Earlier this month, an Argentine television commentator described Mexicans as "disgusting" and claimed they envied Argentines "in everything". Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the remarks as "extremely reprehensible".

Argentina have also faced repeated accusations of racism. Some supporters have mocked France's players of African descent with offensive chants. After the 2024 Copa America triumph, players apologised for singing one such song on the team bus.

There have also been allegations of disorder involving Argentine fans and repeated complaints of racist behaviour, often amplified through social media.

Fierce Rivalries

Argentina's historic rivalry with Brazil has only deepened the divide.

When Brazil crashed out of the 2014 World Cup on home soil before Argentina reached the final, Argentine fans taunted them with the chant: "Brazil, tell me how it feels..."

Defeats to Chile in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals, frequent World Cup clashes and online disputes have fuelled further bitterness.

Critics also argue Argentina's football combines brilliance with gamesmanship, making them admired by some and disliked by others.

This World Cup has brought fresh accusations that refereeing decisions have favoured Argentina. Opponents and social media users have repeatedly questioned key calls, reinforcing a perception -- regardless of its accuracy -- that the team receives preferential treatment.

Together, those sporting, political and cultural fault lines have created a simple rallying cry for many neutral fans this World Cup: anyone but Argentina.