Netanyahu backs Argentina, Switzerland lose Manzambi: This World Cup fixture has a weird feel to it

Before Saturday’s semi-final between Argentina and Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, a man 6,000 miles away made headlines by picking his side.

Benjamin Netanyahu, appearing on The Mojo Podcast, was asked which team he was following at the World Cup.

The host immediately suggested Messi. Netanyahu corrected him immediately: “No. Prime Minister Milei before Messi.”

Netanyahu’s backing, Milei’s Argentina and a Messi connection

In the context of a tournament already saturated with politics: Gaza protests outside stadiums, Hossam Hassan’s Palestine speech, the Balogun suspension reversal, Netanyahu’s podcast declaration landed with the kind of weight that no World Cup preview should carry.

Netanyahu explained his support: “They actually have a president who is a Chabad Hassid, by the way. He is a superstar; he really is, and he has done amazing things with their economy by adopting a free economy. We like to talk about that. But Milei is a great friend of Israel.”

Milei has repeatedly expressed strong support for Israel on the international stage and has announced plans to move Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem, making him one of Netanyahu’s closest allies in Latin America. The Messi connection is also real and personal.

Netanyahu recalled meeting Messi during his visit to Israel, a reference to the 2019 pre-tournament friendly between Argentina and Uruguay that was held in Jerusalem, a match that itself became deeply politicised after Palestinian groups called for Messi to boycott it.

Switzerland’s nightmare blow and why Argentina are still vulnerable

For Switzerland, the Netanyahu subplot is the least of their concerns heading into Saturday. Johan Manzambi, their young prodigy, and also one of the most impressive youngsters of the World Cup, has been ruled out of the semi-final.

The nature of the injury has not been officially confirmed, but multiple Swiss sources indicate a muscle issue sustained in training. Without him, Switzerland’s most direct route to goal, his pace, his dribbling, his ability to manufacture chances from nothing, disappears entirely.

Argentina are not, however, a side to take lightly. Messi has eight tournament goals. Scaloni’s side have shown vulnerability at the back but a winning mentality that no deficit appears able to shake. Switzerland, however, do stand a chance, as they have shown real defensive strength.

They have Granit Xhaka, Breel Embolo and a goalkeeper in Gregor Kobel who has been outstanding. Without Manzambi, they need a collective performance that their squad is capable of but has not yet produced. Argentina have Netanyahu. Switzerland have a problem.