As World Cup fever sweeps across Argentina, ahead of the nation’s round of 32 knockout match against Cape Verde, one Buenos Aires local has reimagined what it means to show national team pride – by turning a pack of 13 pet dogs into the country’s most charming street-side fan group.
Thirty-three-year-old Nahuel Meneghini, known affectionately to locals as “Nano”, is a professional dog walker who operates in the central Buenos Aires neighborhood of San Cristóbal. Inspired by Argentina’s progression out of the group stage of the tournament, he launched his unique fan project last week, outfitting every dog in his daily pack in official-style Argentina national team jerseys, custom light blue and white leashes, and matching collars.
Meneghini first got the idea after two of his regular walking clients’ dogs, Sirio and Roberta, arrived already sporting Messi’s iconic number 10 jerseys, purchased by their caught up in the country’s World Cup excitement. He loved the concept so much that he expanded it to the whole pack: he visited a local pet supply store to source jerseys in sizes to fit every dog, and handcrafted matching branded leashes and collars for the group.
The custom leashes bear three small metal rivets, each marking one of Argentina’s three historic World Cup titles – won in 1978, 1986, and most recently 2022 under current head coach Lionel Scaloni. Collars are tagged with the group’s official name, “Los perros de Nano”, or Nano’s Dogs. The pack’s social media nickname, “La Perroneta”, is a playful twist on “La Scaloneta”, the beloved nickname for Scaloni’s Argentina squad, who have earned widespread national adoration after winning the 2021 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup.
Dressed in Argentina fan gear from head to toe himself, Meneghini skillfully guides his 13 four-legged fans along the narrow sidewalks of San Cristóbal, covering roughly 60 blocks across the city almost every day. Passersby consistently stop to smile, pull out their phones to snap photos, and cheer on the pack and the national team. Local residents have embraced the group wholeheartedly: many dog owners in the neighborhood have already placed orders to have their own pets outfitted with matching gear, which Meneghini offers at a discounted rate to fellow fans.
Eighty-year-old local Edgardo Pérez, who stopped to photograph the group, noted that the joyful display is a rare bright spot for working people and retirees in the country, saying “These are the only joys we have because nothing ever goes our way, not for workers or retirees. Everything is against us.” Seventy-three-year-old Dora Maisano echoed that warm sentiment, calling the display genuine patriotism. “Now that is patriotism,” she said as she watched the pack pass. “Not just peeing and pooping. Everyone wearing the No. 10. Well done, congratulations — they look so cute!”
Speaking to the Associated Press during a walk with the pack Thursday, Meneghini said he created the project out of his own love for the national team, his country, and the World Cup. He added that the dogs will keep their national team gear “forever” – even if Argentina is eliminated from the 2026 tournament. Still, he remains optimistic about the team’s chances, saying “But I have faith that we’ll win a fourth cup. After the fourth one, I’ll add another rivet to the leashes.”