Argentina has always been one of the world's top footballing nations, but few know about the significant Armenian influence in its football history. The Armenian community in Argentina has not only preserved its identity but has also made a substantial contribution to the development of sports, particularly football. One of the most prominent symbols of this connection is the club Deportivo Armenio, but the Armenian impact is also evident through well-known players, coaches, and even figures who played a role in shaping Lionel Messi’s career.
Deportivo Armenio: A Club Founded by the Armenian Community
The club was founded in 1962 by the Armenian community of Buenos Aires during a football boom among various national communities in Argentina. During this time, clubs such as Centro Español, Deportivo Español, Sportivo Italiano, Deportivo Paraguayo, and others emerged. The idea of creating the club belonged to a group of enthusiasts, among whom Vagram Sitsioglu played a special role. He arrived in Argentina from Armenia in 1959 and became one of the founding partners of the club, investing all his passion for football in its development.
Initially, the club was called Club Armen de Fútbol, but in 1968, it received its current name and joined the Argentine Football Federation.
The club quickly began to demonstrate success: in 1972, the team became the champion of the fourth division under the leadership of legendary goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo, and in 1976, it won the third division championship. In 1977, the club almost reached the top division, finishing in third place.
True fame came to the club in 1986 when Deportivo Armenio advanced to Primera B Nacional. In the 1986/87 season, the team set a record by going 34 games unbeaten and became the champion, earning the right to compete in Argentina's top league for the first time in its history. This record remained unbroken for 12 years. Under the guidance of coach Alberto Parseghian and captain Miguel Gardarian, the team achieved historic success.
In its first season in the elite (1987/88), the club finished in 13th place, with notable victories against River Plate (3:2) and Boca Juniors at La Bombonera (1:0). However, by 1989, the club was relegated from the top division and has not returned since.
Despite the decline in results, Deportivo Armenio continues to play an important role in the Armenian community of Argentina. In 1992, thanks to businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, the Estadio República de Armenia was built, serving as both a football venue and a cultural center for the Armenian diaspora.
The Estadio República de Armenia belongs to the Deportivo Armenio football club and is located in the city of Ingeniero Maschwitz, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
During the 1990s, the club experienced difficult times, but the situation was saved by one of South America's most successful businessmen—Eduardo Eurnekian, the owner of Zvartnots Airport and Converse Bank. He financed the club for many years and helped build the stadium. The Armenian community of Argentina actively participated in the construction, including Noray Nakis, who served as club president in the 2000s. Currently, the club is managed by his son, Luciano Nakis.
Since then, the stadium has become not only a sports facility but also a cultural center for the Armenian population of Buenos Aires. Events commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as well as national celebrations, are held there. Recently, an Armenian school and a football academy have opened on the stadium grounds.
Initially, the stadium was small, but later, the main stand featuring the Armenian tricolor was built. Today, the stadium has a capacity of up to 8,000 spectators.
The club's emblem reflects its cultural and religious roots. It includes the letter "Է" from the Armenian alphabet, symbolizing "essence" and resembling a cross—a reminder that Armenia was the first country to officially adopt Christianity. The emblem also features Mount Ararat, a symbol of Armenian identity and a reference to the biblical story of Noah's Ark.
The club also participates in commemorative and cultural initiatives. In 2015, to mark the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the club changed the colors of its second kit to black as a symbol of mourning.
Armenian Footballers and Coaches in Argentine Football
Beyond Deportivo Armenio, many Armenians have left their mark on Argentine football. Among the pioneers were players like Julio Markarian, who scored the winning goal in the 1953 Superclásico, as well as Eduardo Balasanyan, Luis Kolandjian, and Eduardo Bazarbachian, who played for various clubs.
During the 1970s and 1980s, notable Armenian footballers included Adolfo Keurikian, who played for Huracán, and Walter Udukian, a striker for Deportivo Armenio. In the 1990s, one of the most prominent Armenian-Argentine players was Fernando Zagharian, who played for Argentinos Juniors and later for Pyunik in Armenia.
Another key figure was Manuel Avedikian, a striker for San Lorenzo (1996), who was the first Argentine-Armenian player considered for the Armenian national team. Talks were held about his debut, but frequent injuries prevented it from happening.
Some Argentine players with no Armenian roots later played for Armenia’s national team. Among them were Marcelo Devani, who played two matches in 1999, and José Andrés Bilibio, who appeared 10 times for Armenia in 2002.
One of the most successful Armenian-origin footballers in Argentina was Fernando Zagharian, born in 1977 in Buenos Aires. He did not play for Deportivo Armenio, but through the club's collaboration with Pyunik, he joined the Armenian champion team in 2002.
At that time, four Argentine players moved to Pyunik, three of whom were connected to Deportivo Armenio. The team was also coached by Oscar López, the former Deportivo Armenio coach, who later became the head coach of Armenia’s national team.
The Armenian Coach of Lionel Messi
A fascinating yet little-known chapter in Armenian-Argentine football history is the story of Eduardo Abrahamian—the man who first recognized Lionel Messi’s talent.
Eduardo Abrahamian was a former player and coach who left his mark in Argentine football, particularly in youth development. He played for River Plate and San Lorenzo, winning two championships (1980 and 1981), but retired early at 26, finishing his career at Deportivo Armenio. However, he later became a highly successful youth coach.
In 2000, while coaching at River Plate’s academy, he was introduced to a young Lionel Messi, who was seeking a new club due to the financial struggles of Newell’s Old Boys. Messi was invited to train with River Plate, and Abrahamian immediately recognized his exceptional talent.
"His game amazed me. He moved with the ball as if he was born with it," Abrahamian later recalled. During one training session, Messi scored 11 goals and provided 4 assists, confirming his extraordinary ability.
Despite Abrahamian’s efforts to arrange housing and education for Messi in Buenos Aires, the move to River Plate ultimately failed due to disagreements over medical treatment for Messi’s growth hormone deficiency. Abrahamian expressed his frustration, stating, “If a club cannot invest in a player like him, it's a huge mistake.”
Even though River Plate missed out on Messi, Abrahamian remains proud to have spotted his talent early on. He fondly remembers training sessions where he paired Messi with Gonzalo Higuaín and Augusto Fernández, both of whom later became Argentine internationals.
A Continuing Legacy
The connection between Armenian and Argentine football is rich and profound. Deportivo Armenio remains a symbol of the Armenian diaspora in Argentina, while Armenian players and coaches continue to contribute to the country’s football legacy.
Today, Deportivo Armenio competes in Primera B (third division) and recently came close to promotion, losing a decisive playoff match in the final seconds. The club frequently releases jerseys featuring Armenian symbols, such as the Armenian alphabet (last year) and the map of Armenia (this year).
Additionally, Luciano Nakis, the club’s president, is also the press secretary of the Argentine Football Federation and actively supports Armenian football.
Two players of Armenian descent currently play for Armenia’s national team: Lucas Zelarayán (Belgrano) and Norberto Briasco-Balekian (Gimnasia y Esgrima).