Don't count on immigrant support for Portugal in the World Cup

Immigrants living in Portugal will not support the Portuguese national team in the World Cup, according to the article. This includes Asians, European expatriates, and South Americans, especially the large Brazilian community. The author claims that twenty percent of Portugal's population and one-third of Lisbon residents will not cheer for Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates.

This is not a personal issue; it stems from immigrants' loyalty to their home countries. For example, Turks in Germany do not care about the German team, while the large North African community in Paris wants France to be eliminated as soon as possible, preferably by Morocco, Senegal, Congo, or Algeria.

The author describes this attitude not as ingratitude but as consistency. Immigration is a violent experience of existential emptying, where one is constantly labeled as 'the other.' An immigrant is not just a driver, journalist, doctor, or lawyer, but an Indian driver, a Brazilian journalist, a Ukrainian doctor, etc.

The author shares a personal story about his younger son, who has lived in Portugal for ten years but still supports Brazil over Portugal. Despite having Portuguese jerseys, attending games, and even training with Benfica, the boy feels no connection to Portugal because he is daily reminded that he is not Portuguese by classmates, teachers, and immigration officials.

In conclusion, the author tells his Portuguese friends not to count on immigrant support during the World Cup. It is not personal animosity but a natural consequence of the immigrant experience. Immigrants, who are constantly reminded of their otherness, cannot suddenly become Portuguese for a month of football.