World Cup Diary, Day 28: Nothing like life on a bus for some Argentine fans

Four friends pool money to buy the bus for Dh55,100 and save up holiday time over two years to travel with Argentina team across Brazil for World Cup.

Argentina fans are in Brazil in their thousands to support their team. Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images

SAO PAULO // A group of Argentine men has spent the past month travelling all over Brazil in a converted bus to follow their country’s progress during the World Cup.

The four pooled their money to buy the bus for US$15,000 (Dh55,100) and saved up holiday time over two years. The bus, formerly used for public transport, is outfitted for a long road tour with four single beds, an eating area and cabinets for storing gear.

“A lot of people say we are sick for making this long journey, but I say this is love,” said Elias Sarrouf, 28.

After leaving Argentina on June 9, the group has followed the team as they played Bosnia and Herzegovina in Rio de Janeiro, Iran in Belo Horizonte, Nigeria in Porto Alegre, Switzerland in Sao Paulo and Belgium in Brasilia. They were back in Sao Paulo for Argentina’s semi-final win over the Netherlands on Wednesday and will go on to Rio for Sunday’s final.

They did not have tickets for the semi-final or the final, but they did get tickets for three of the earlier matches that Argentina played.

“We are fulfilling the dreams of many Argentines, and the truth is that we are having a great time here,” said Jose Ribeti, 29.

During their trip, the men have parked the bus in areas provided for fans by Brazil’s government. When they are not on the road and a game is not being played, they often relax inside the bus, drinking the traditional regional tea, yerba mate.

The bus broke down between Brasilia and Sao Paulo when some of the cables in the engine caught fire, stretching the trip out to 20 hours.

“The Brazilians are very hospitable. They’ve helped us a lot during the trip,” said Ribeti. “We have to thank this country and its people for being so warm to us.”

The group will have driven more than 10,000 kilometres by the time they return to the Salta region in northern Argentina, where most of them live. All are unmarried.

“Dreams come true if you let them fly,” Sarrouf said. “Years ago, our idea was to attend this World Cup in Brazil. Now, we are thinking about going with this bus to the World Cup in Russia in four years.”

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