Key facts
- Amateur soccer matches are gaining popularity in Argentina's impoverished neighborhoods.
- Players can earn extra cash to supplement precarious incomes in the informal economy.
- Emiliano Migueles earns around 500,000 pesos ($350) in a good month from his job and football.
- Formal employment has slumped due to factory closures and public spending cuts under President Javier Milei.
- Over half of Argentinians under 30 are employed in the informal economy.
In Argentina, the passion for football extends beyond professional leagues to amateur matches played on makeshift pitches, known as 'potreros,' in suburban Buenos Aires. These games are increasingly serving as an economic lifeline for individuals facing precarious employment and declining formal job opportunities. Emiliano Migueles, a 26-year-old water delivery worker, exemplifies this trend, earning extra cash by playing in these amateur matches. He can make around 500,000 pesos ($350) in a good month, combining his delivery job with winnings from football. This surge in popularity comes as Argentina experiences factory closures and public spending cuts under President Javier Milei's administration, leading to over half of Argentinians under 30 working in the informal economy. Matches can involve direct payouts to winning teams or entry fees for tournaments, with players like Migueles sometimes receiving a small fee for playing, even if they don't bet. Migueles dedicates significant time to football, often sacrificing sleep and personal events, highlighting the deep personal commitment involved in pursuing this gritty economic opportunity.