There are those who follow their team from the sofa, those who cross a city to watch a football match and those who plan their holidays based on the sports calendar. Then there are Vicente Conculini, Miguel Silio and Yomandu Martínez, three sports enthusiasts who decided to cycle for over 17,000 kilometres, crossing 17 countries and facing all kinds of obstacles, just to see the legendary Lionel Messi’s Argentina defend the world title won in Qatar in 2022.
Their adventure began on August 16th in Gualeguaychú, an Argentine city near the border with Uruguay. From there, the three cyclists headed north with a specific objective: to reach the United States in time to follow the path of the Albiceleste national team in the international tournament. The one who inspired the undertaking was above all Miguel Silio, 56 years old, a veteran of adventures on two wheels. In fact, it wasn’t his first sporting madness: in the past he had already reached two World Championships by bicycle, pedaling from Madrid to Russia in 2018 and then to Qatar in 2022.
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“The idea came from that crazy Miguel” says smiling Vicente Conculini, 29, who temporarily left his job in a hotel in the Netherlands to take part in the trip.
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The path between breathtaking landscapes and obstacles
The route turned into an authentic odyssey across the American continent. The three friends crossed completely different countries, cultures and climates, documenting the journey on their Instagram profile @enbiciandoalmundo. Among his best memories, Conculini mentions Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico, places that welcomed them with spectacular landscapes and unforgettable encounters. But there was no shortage of difficult moments.
In Bolivia they had to deal with the effects of high altitude, which put their physical resistance to the test. Even more complicated was the crossing into western Paraguay, where they remained without drinking water for 24 hours.
«There was a moment when I asked myself what I was doing there» recalls Conculini. “It was probably the worst day of the whole trip.”
One of the most disturbing episodes occurred in Colombia. During a stop at a restaurant, some locals advised the three travelers to stop for the night instead of continuing. Shortly before, a truck packed with explosives had detonated within about 20 kilometers of their position. An episode that reminded cyclists how, even during a journey created to celebrate sport, reality can reserve unpredictable and dangerous situations.
The arrival in the United States
After eight and a half months of cycling, on May 1st the three Argentines finally crossed the US border into Laredo, Texas. The crossing was then enriched with a special meeting. In San Antonio they were hosted by Manu Ginóbili, Argentine basketball legend and symbol of the Spurs, who invited them to attend an NBA playoff game. On June 3, they reached Kansas City, home of the Argentine national team’s retreat.
«Arriving was the best moment» says Conculini. «Not because the journey was ending, but because we realized we had really made it».
The final challenge: finding tickets
Paradoxically, after having overcome mountains, deserts and thousands of kilometers, the most difficult obstacle could be that of tickets. The three friends were unable to purchase the tickets through the official FIFA portal. Demand to attend Argentina matches is very high, fueled by the presence of Lionel Messi and a team that continues to attract fans from all over the world.
Good news arrived during the Kansas City Unity Cup, an amateur tournament held in Olathe, Kansas, where cyclists were rewarded for their feat and received as a gift tickets for Argentina’s opening race against Algeria, scheduled for June 17 at 3:00 am (8:00 pm on June 16 local time).
Now the dream is to continue following Argentina and in the following matches and, perhaps, accompany Messi and his teammates until the final. Whatever happens, their personal victory has already been achieved. Because after 17 countries crossed, over 17,000 kilometers traveled and nine months of travel, the real finish line is not a stadium. It’s the road we took to get there and the incredible adventure we experienced together.
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