Spain or Argentina: Divided loyalties in North Mitrovica ahead of the FIFA World Cup final

Residents of North Mitrovica have been closely following the FIFA World Cup, and ahead of the tournament's final their sympathies are divided between the national teams of Spain and Argentina. While some believe that Lionel Messi will lead Argentina to the title, others argue that Spain has played the most attractive football of the tournament and deserves to lift the trophy.

One resident of Mitrovica said that he had been following the World Cup with his family and had supported Argentina from the very beginning.

"We've been watching the World Cup at home. Argentina is our favourite. We love Messi," he told Kosovo Online.

He is far from the only Messi supporter. Another resident is convinced that the Argentine captain's individual brilliance will make the difference in the decisive matches.

"We like both Spain and Argentina, but Messi has that special magic, as they say, and he can decide the match on his own," he said.

Argentina also enjoys considerable support among North Mitrovica residents.

"I'm supporting Argentina. I've been following the World Cup because of Messi. He's playing brilliantly and he's the best footballer in the world. I believe Argentina will defeat Spain convincingly in the final," another local resident said.

There are, of course, those who favour Spain, primarily because of the team's style of play and their personal affinity for the country.

"Well, they're our team. I like them. They're passionate by nature. To be honest, I don't like Argentina or Messi, but I do like the Spaniards," one resident said.

Another local supporter believes Spain has played the best football of the tournament and sees that alone as reason enough to support them.

"I'm backing Spain because they're playing the best football. That's all there is to it," he said.

Some also expect Spain to win and cite the country's political position on Kosovo as one of the reasons for their support.

"Spain will win 2–0, because they haven't recognized Kosovo," one supporter said.

Spain is also regarded by some as a friendly nation.

"We've been following the World Cup regularly. Spain is our favourite because we consider Spain a friendly country. We like the way they play. They're outstanding. Their tactics are excellent and they're physically very well prepared, so I hope they'll win the World Cup," another interviewee said.

That football is not followed exclusively by men was demonstrated by one female supporter, who is also backing Spain.

"Of course I'm supporting Spain—our team. I hope they'll win 2–0," she said.

Some residents, however, expressed little interest in the outcome of the final. As one local man remarked, the national team he supports failed to qualify for the World Cup, so it makes little difference to him who lifts the famous World Cup trophy this evening.