In A La Liga Crisis, Sevilla Profits Handsomely From Argentina’s Global Glory

Before converting a pressure penalty to send millions upon millions of fellow Argentines into raptures for days, 25-year-old Gonzalo Montiel was—well—just another soccer player.

Of course, the former River Plate defender was familiar to those in Buenos Aires and across the South American nation, and in Spain’s southern Andalusia region as a diligent, if not spectacular, full-back for Sevilla. Fast forward to one night in mid-December, and a World Cup-clinching spot kick has propelled his profile into another dimension altogether.

La Liga soccer returns at the end of the year, with Sevilla needing 2023 to spark a fresh dawn. Starting as a Champions League participant, the side’s subsequent elimination means Europa League soccer is on the menu for now. More troubling is the team’s dwindling pre-World Cup league form, which has seen it slump to 18th place—saddled just inside the relegation zone. It’s all a far cry from where its fans, who pack the attractive city’s metro en route to games every other week, expect the team to be.

Fortunately, Montiel and Argentina’s rise to stardom provides the perfect tonic for Sevilla to get back on track.

Sevilla, serially among the top teams in Spain, is for once looking a little lost under sporting director Monchi, whose brains and know-how in the transfer market have kept it delivering at a high level for so long. A sign of the times is the talented, high-profile midfielder Isco—previously in the wilderness at Real Madrid—and now without a club, with Sevilla terminating his contract just under five months after recruiting him. Not like Sevilla at all. Statistically, the team has lost half its league games this campaign, scoring a measly average of just under a goal a game. Not very Sevilla either.

The side can cling to some optimism, however. The troubles have led to a new coach too—or an old one—after Julen Lopetegui left to be replaced by former boss Jorge Sampaoli, who was steady enough in his last spell at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan, which bodes well for a rebuild.

Yet what bodes even better for Sevilla is that, with a small handful of World Cup-winning Argentines in its squad, it can draw on their success and confidence to rediscover its mojo both in the league and the other cup competitions.

Hoping to lead that recovery, Montiel will feel ten feet tall after ending Argentina’s 36-year wait for international soccer’s most coveted prize. Also keen to use the World Cup triumph as a catalyst for saving Sevilla’s season are fellow defender Marcos Acuña and attackers Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gómez and Erik Lamela—although the latter didn’t make the final squad.

All told, the World Cup can benefit the club entirely. Morocco—a surprise semifinalist—made it far thanks to another of its players, goalscorer Youssef En-Nesyri. Likewise, Yassine Bounou, or Bono, was an instrumental goalkeeper and will be needed to help Sevilla secure much-needed victories when the matches resume.

Of course, Sevilla is not the only team to benefit from the global competition. Atlético Madrid duo Rodrigo de Paul and Ángel Correa are now world-beaters, whereas the happiest juggernaut abroad will be Paris Saint-Germain. The Ligue 1 holder will have a jubilant Messi back in the fold alongside Kylian Mbappé, now one of only two players to score three goals in a World Cup final, alongside the great Geoff Hurst.

For ex-Barcelona icon Messi, his crowing moment brings a ripple effect. It can only be a good thing for his PSG’s brand, as well as its on-field momentum in France and pursuit of the elusive first Champions League title it craves. And then, there is sponsors’ stock value, such as Pepsi, prospering from his success.

But Sevilla can be the real winner if its players—some with a spring in their step—kick on. Beyond status itself, staying in La Liga means more financial strength in the transfer market and satisfying salary demands for crucial squad members. Before qualifying for Europe, the economic security of being among the 20 best clubs nationally is always the most important foundation to build on. For this 2022/23 season, La Liga issued Sevilla a spending cap of around €199 million ($212 million). Stopping that from dropping, which would happen if relegated, is a considerable incentive, even if this season has not panned out as hoped.

Up next for Sampaoli’s side is a tricky but winnable game in Asturias against Celta de Vigo before what should be a straightforward win against Deportivo in the last 32 of Spain’s Copa del Rey. Sevilla’s stuttering campaign suggests it could stumble further, but a welcome break and returning group of winners mean better days lie ahead.