Torres has racked up a lot of frequent flier miles following La Albiceleste (sky blue and white). He attended previous Copa America finals in Chile and the United States, and World Cups in South Africa, Brazil and Qatar.

More than 40,000 Argentineans traveled 8,200 miles to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, despite inflation approaching 100%. There were reports of fans who sold their cars and emptied their savings accounts to make the trip. It is common to see fans with giant tattoos of Messi.

“The passion began before Messi, with Diego Maradona,” Torres said. “When you’re a little kid in Argentina and people ask you what you want to be, you say, `World Champion.’ Our love of futbol is in our blood. The Copa America is the tournament we have won more than any other, so it means a lot to our fans.”

Tickets for Argentina’s games are the hottest sellers of the 16-team tournament, being played at 14 stadiums across the United States.

According to StubHub, Copa America has an average ticket price of $283 this year making it 98% more in-demand than the tournament was back in 2016 the last time the U.S. was host. Argentina is the most in-demand team with an average ticket price of $462, and the matchup between Argentina and Peru at Hard Rock Stadium is the hottest matchup of Copa America with an average ticket price of $519, and the best deal being $318.

Several hundred Argentine fans who traveled from South Florida planned to meet up with Argentine supporter groups from other U.S. cities. Among their meeting points, a pep rally in the West End of the city co-hosted by the Argentine consulate in Atlanta.

Chris Moramarco, co-founder of Inter Miami supporter group Vice City, was one of the organizers of the South Florida trip to Atlanta. He is from Rosario, Argentina, the same hometown as Messi and Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, and his soccer roots run deep. His uncle, Federico Vairo Moramarco, played for the Argentine national team in the 1957 Copa America and the 1958 World Cup.

Moramarco has an impressive collection of Argentine soccer memorabilia, including a piece of the goal net from the Qatar final game.

“You can’t really explain what the team means to people from our country,” he said. “No matter what tickets cost, Argentineans find a way to be there.”

Inter Miami radio announcer Fernando Fiore, a native of Argentina, said fans of the team are more passionate than ever because of the Copa and World Cup wins, and the possibility that Messi is nearing the end of his career.

“He has fewer days ahead than behind, so people want to enjoy and be part of this long swan song, this last Messi dance,” Fiore said.

Juan Jose Montes, a Colombia native who lives in Columbus, Georgia, was among the fans hanging around Argentina’s hotel on Wednesday, with his son, Jeronimo. They wore Colombia jerseys but carried Messi shirts and posed for photos in front of a Messi banner outside the Westin.

“To watch Messi, the greatest player, with a team like Argentina, is brilliant to see those of us who love futbol,” Montes said. “Even though we are Colombian and rooting for our team to win, we also appreciate Messi and the Argentine style of game. And, it may be the last time he plays Copa America, so this is a moment you can’t miss.”

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