These Argentinian and French Melburnians can agree on one thing ahead of the World Cup final: They all want Lionel Messi to become a world champion.
The trouble is, they can’t agree when.
The extended Paz family (left to right) Gaby, Mia, Shalisa, Mariano, Santiago and Barbara.Credit:Joe Armao
French-born Australian’s Marc and Sophie Genreau – parents of young Socceroo Denis Genreau, who missed out on World Cup selection – will be watching from home at 2am on Monday (AEDT) when reigning champions France battle Messi’s Argentina in Qatar.
“I shouldn’t say this, but for me, the ideal outcome would be Messi would [one day] be a world champion and the French team win this World Cup,” Marc said.
“Unless we make him French in the coming hours, I’ll be barracking for France, but I think [winning a World Cup] would be fitting for him.”
The Argentinian Paz family will also be watching from home, but if La Albiceleste triumph, they’re thinking of driving into the city to celebrate at Fed Square – now an Australian soccer mecca after it hosted wild celebrations during the Socceroos’ historic World Cup run.
“One thing I’m proud to say is that, if we win, we can party. We love to party,” Mariano Paz said.
Mariano was born in Argentina while his wife, Barbara, was born in Australia but spent her formative years in the South American nation. The couple now live in north-west Melbourne with their children, Mia and Santiago, and have a large extended family in the area, including cousins Gaby and Shalisa Paz.
They all agree an Argentinian triumph would be extra special as captain Messi said after the country’s semi-final win that this would be his last World Cup.
“We all believe that he deserves to finish his career, at this level, winning the World Cup,” Mariano said.
Barbara runs an indoor soccer training complex in Maribyrnong, created five years ago to bring Argentinian football culture to Melbourne. She has been getting requests to screen the match there, but the Paz’s are locked into a routine watching from home.
The family say they’ll never host a party to watch a big match with family and friends again after they endured the heartbreak of Argentina’s extra-time loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.
Mariano said that working after the early morning final was “the worst day ever”. This year, he has Monday off.
Meanwhile, the Genreau family have more Socceroos gear than French merch after their son – a product of Melbourne City’s youth academy – debuted for the national team last year.
Marc and Sophie Genreau will be cheering on France in the World Cup final.Credit:Joe Armao
Marc and Sophie moved to Australia after falling in love with the country on their honeymoon and said the French national team connected them with family and friends back home.
“It’s a team that epitomises that our best comes from diversity,” Marc said about Les Bleus, which includes a number of players with African links.
Marc also proudly pointed out the French made the final without a host of key injured players, such as superstar striker Karim Benzema and dynamic midfielder Paul Pogba.
His son, Denis, is also now trying to get his body right and play with Toulouse in the French top division.
Denis Genreau in action for the Olyroos last July.Credit:AP
Despite acknowledging the disappointment of missing out on World Cup selection, Marc said he was “really surprised by how resilient and strong [Denis] is”.
Both Marc and Sophie also said they were particularly proud that Denis was one of 16 Socceroos who spoke out about Qatar’s human rights record.
As for World Cup final predictions, the Genreaus tipped a 4-2 French win and said they’d quietly watch the match and appreciate the talent on display. The Paz’s couldn’t pick a winner, but would be glued to the TV on Monday morning.
“It’s nerve racking. It’s just that excitement. We want Messi to be able to finish his career [a World Cup champion],” Barbara Paz said.
“It’s very important for all Argentinians … the way we feel and the passion. It’s just full on.”
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