Emiliano Matangolo, 39, a business administration graduate in Buenos Aires, is trying with all his might to travel to Qatar to attend the FIFA World Cup and encourage his country as one of the contenders to win the title and follow star captain Lionel Messi.
"It's 4 years of saving plus some money every month to make that dream come true, whatever the cost," Matangolo told Reuters. "You stop doing things like buying a car or a house."
"It's a dream and a fascination (with the World Cup). A lot of people say look, he's spending money to go to Qatar instead of owning even 5% of a house.. Well, I'm sure (the house) is nice, but I'm going to a cup." the scientist".
The tournament, which will be the last for Messi (35 years), begins in less than two weeks on the 20th of this month, and fans from England to Japan are preparing for a trip to Qatar in the hope of witnessing the glory of victory.
Argentina, which played 35 matches unbeaten and holders of the Copa America title last year, hopes to add to its two World Cup titles in 1978 and 1986.
Before heading to Doha, fans gathered to sing in one of the public parks, "We have Lionel (Messi) on the pitch and Diego (Maradona) is playing in heaven."
Many of them wore the blue and white national team jerseys and carried banners or tattoos of the team's most prominent players.
This exemplifies Argentina's passion for football, with the World Cup remaining a priority for some despite a slowing economy, painful inflation estimated to reach 100% this year, and currency controls that raise prices for travel abroad.
"Unfortunately, Argentina is going through a moment of crisis, where the price of everything goes up every month," said Jonathan Luna, a 32-year-old self-employed person. "But one night I sat down and decided to go to the World Cup because I love the national team."
Luna is aware of the financial impact of his decision.
"I know that when I come back I will have the best memories of my life, but it may be that I have been renting (an apartment with that money) my whole life but I don't care, we have to go to support the team."