BUENOS AIRES (AP) – Thirteen Argentina followers are roaming the streets of Buenos Aires proudly sporting their team’s jersey – but they’re not on two legs, they’re on all fours, letting out the occasional bark.

As Argentina rides World Cup fever and beat Cape Verde in the round of 32 on Friday, a dog walker has added his pack to the local fanbase.

Nahuel Meneghini, 33, walks the streets of the capital’s city centre with the dogs wearing the team’s jerseys, leashes and collars in support of Lionel Messi’s squad. “I did it out of love for them and for Argentina. And for the World Cup,” said Meneghini – known as

“Nano” – while speaking to The Associated Press during a walk with the canine group.

The dog walker, also dressed head-to-toe like a fan, skilfully managed all the leashes, guiding the dogs along the narrow sidewalks of the capital’s San Cristóbal neighbourhood.

As they passed, smiles lit up the faces of onlookers who pulled out their phones to snap pictures. “Let’s go, Argentina!” a woman shouted.

“These are the only joys we have because nothing ever goes our way, not for workers or retirees. Everything is against us,” said 80-year-old Edgardo Pérez, who was taking photos of the group known on social media as “La Perroneta.”

The name alludes to “La Scaloneta,” the nickname of the national team aiming to retain its title at the World Cup under coach Lionel Scaloni.

Scaloni is admired in Argentina following the team’s triumphs at the World Cup and the Finalissima in 2022, as well as the 2021 Copa América.

Meneghini developed the idea of dressing the dogs in Argentina colours last week as it advanced from the group stage. Two of the dogs he regularly walks, Sirio and Roberta, were wearing jerseys featuring Messi’s number 10. Their owners bought them after catching World Cup fever.

Meneghini loved the idea and decided to dress the rest of the dogs the same way. He stopped by a pet store and picked up jerseys in various sizes. The owners readily accepted the outfits. The same went for the collars and leashes he crafted in light blue and white.

He added three rivets to the leashes – one for each of Argentina’s World Cup titles in 1978, 1986 and 2022 – while hanging tags reading “Los perros de Nano” (Nano’s Dogs) from the collars.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin