Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson made a passionate plea ahead of the FIFA Men's World Cup Final on Sunday: don't cheer for Argentina. In a social media post that quickly went viral, the actor called Argentina one of the most racist countries in the world toward Black people, urging fans of color to root against Lionel Messi and company.
Jackson, known for iconic roles in Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, and The Hateful Eight, didn't mince words. “Dear Black People: Please do not cheer or root for Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup. Argentina has historically been one of, if not the most racist countries in the world,” he wrote. The post even invoked his Django Unchained character Stephen, a controversial figure who protected the plantation he worked on. “If you are a Black person cheering for Argentina, this is what you look like to me. We hear you loud and clear,” Jackson added.
The actor's stance stands in stark contrast to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who declined to pick a side but admitted it's tough to bet against Messi. “I thought about it a lot. I knew that was a question. I hate to get involved, even though politically, it doesn't matter so much. The head of Argentina is a friend of mine, he's done a terrific job. But I would say that it's hard to bet against Messi,” Trump told FOX. “I won't pick sides. I just think it's very hard to bet against Messi. He's great.”
Argentina's World Cup journey ended in disappointment as they fell 1-0 to Spain in the final. The match was marred by ugly post-match scenes, with a brawl breaking out between players after the final whistle. The loss capped a turbulent tournament for Argentina, which also faced controversy over a Falklands banner celebration that drew FIFA fines.
Jackson's comments tap into a longstanding debate about racism in Argentine football. Critics have pointed to incidents of racist chants and gestures directed at Black players during matches, both domestically and internationally. The country's national team has also faced scrutiny for its lack of diversity. While Messi is celebrated globally, the larger cultural issues remain a sore point.
The World Cup final itself drew massive global viewership, with MLB also trying to capture America's attention on the same Sunday. But the off-field drama, fueled by Jackson's viral call, may have been just as talked about as the on-field action.
Whether Jackson's plea swayed any fans is unclear, but the message was loud and clear: for him, this final was about more than just soccer. It was a stand against what he sees as a deep-rooted prejudice.
