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Home Football More Than a Club: Deportivo Armenio’s Jerseys Carry a Nation’s Identity

More Than a Club: Deportivo Armenio’s Jerseys Carry a Nation’s Identity

FIFA President Gianni Infantino once said, “A World Cup is 104 Super Bowls.” This powerful comparison, shared after a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, shows the unmatched global popularity of football—or “soccer” in the United States. The 2022 FIFA World Cup final drew 1.5 billion viewers. Today, football is booming in the U.S., with Major League Soccer hosting superstar Lionel Messi and the 2026 World Cup set to take place in North America.

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But in countries like Argentina, football is much more than a sport. It’s a vital part of national life. That’s especially true for clubs like Deportivo Armenio, which not only plays the game but also works to preserve Armenian culture through it.

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A Club with Cultural Roots

Deportivo Armenio was founded in 1962 by Armenian immigrants in Argentina. It officially joined the Argentine Football Association in 1970. In the 1986–87 season, the club made history by winning the second division title with a record-breaking 34-game unbeaten run. That victory earned them promotion to Argentina’s top league. Led by coach Alberto Parsechian and captain Miguel Gardarian, the team even beat giants River Plate and Boca Juniors—wins that are still remembered today.

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In 1992, the club opened its own stadium, Estadio Armenia, in Buenos Aires. It can host 8,000 fans and remains a symbol of the community’s strength and pride.

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Jerseys That Tell Stories

More recently, Deportivo Armenio has found new ways to connect with Armenian heritage—this time through its jerseys. For the club’s 60th anniversary, it released a shirt honoring famous Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents. The shirt was declared a cultural treasure by the city of La Plata and displayed at Argentina’s National Historical Museum.

Another design, the “alphabet shirt,” celebrated Armenian teachers. Each educator received a personalized jersey featuring the Armenian alphabet and their years of service. This effort sparked a national campaign and educational talks in schools, led by Argentina’s Fine Arts Association.

But the most attention-grabbing jersey is the “map shirt,” which shows the provinces of Armenia. This design has become a media sensation in Argentina and a symbol of Armenian identity around the world.

A Global Voice Through Football

Marcelo Papazian, the creative mind behind these jerseys, told The Weekly that the focus has shifted. “People don’t just talk about whether Armenio won or lost. They talk about what the shirt means,” he said.

He compared the club’s work to what countries do through sponsorships. “Azerbaijan promoted itself with Atlético de Madrid. We’re doing the same, but with our own club. And we do it without money, without first division status, without big sponsors,” he explained.

Although the club avoids direct political statements—due to FIFA and AFA rules—it still raises awareness of Armenian history and culture. For example, the map shirt does not include Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), due to international sensitivities. Papazian pointed to Club Deportivo Palestino in Chile, which was once sanctioned by FIFA for a political jersey design, as a cautionary tale. “We stay within the rules,” he said, “but we still tell our story.”

Papazian also noted that Armenian clubs like Iravan FK and Qarabag FK do not have the same reach. “We have South American passion and visibility. We made the Armenian cause known—just with a jersey,” he said. “Imagine what we could do if we were in the top league.”

A Club That Connects a Global Community

Deportivo Armenio is growing its international presence. Its jerseys are now sold in Argentina, Armenia, and the United States, where about 2,000 are sold every year. Many Armenian tourists from Los Angeles and other U.S. cities make a point of visiting the club.

Club president Luciano Nakis said the jerseys help fund free youth and women’s football programs. “We use the money to support all amateur areas in the club,” he told The Weekly.

The club also launched a mobile app. For just $10 a month, supporters—Armenian or not—can become members from anywhere in the world.

Maximiliano Kalciyan, a Miami-based businessman and longtime supporter, has funded several infrastructure projects, including a gym and community outreach programs.

“What we’re building is more than a football team,” Kalciyan said. “It’s a cultural center, a safe space, a symbol of hope—especially for the younger generation.”

As Nakis puts it simply, “Deportivo Armenio is not just a football club. It’s a cause.”


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