Himno Nacional Argentino
The sound of sovereignty that precedes every victory on the pitch.
Before the first whistle blows at a FIFA tournament, the Himno Nacional Argentino rises to define the moment. Adopted as the sole official song on 11 May 1813 by the Assembly of Year XIII, this hymn predates Argentine soccer by over a century yet now serves as the mandatory prelude to every match involving La Selección. Written by Buenos Aires politician Vicente López y Planes and composed by Spanish musician Blas Parera, the anthem originally carried the fiery lyrics of independence from Spain. Today, it stands as a rigid legal requirement under Decree 10302/1944, ensuring that whether in Buenos Aires or abroad, the team enters the pitch accompanied by a sonic symbol of sovereignty that demands silence and standing from all present.
- Composer
- Blas Parera
- Lyricist
- Vicente López y Planes
- Adoption Year
- 1813
- Standard Match Usage
- First Verse and Chorus (plus last verse in non-sport contexts; specific instrume
- Status
- National Symbol
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The anthem's origins lie not in sport but in the political upheaval of 1813. While early versions existed since 1810, the version we know was sanctioned on 11 May 1813 after poets were asked to submit lyrics; Vicente López y Planes' poem won unanimously. Blas Parera composed the music rapidly, with a song sheet dated 14 May 1813 and an official theater premiere on 28 May where he received 200 pesos. Originally titled 'Marcha Patriótica,' it became known as 'Himno Nacional Argentino' by 1847. The lyrics were ardently anti-Spanish, referencing the defeat of the 'arrogant Iberian lion.' However, as Spanish immigrants arrived in Argentina, feelings shifted. A decree by President Julio Argentino Roca on 30 March 1900 mandated that for official parties and schools, only the first verse, last verse, and chorus be sung to avoid offense, omitting the emotional text about tearing Spain apart.
In Their Own Story
The narrative of this anthem is one of rapid creation and deliberate modification. In mid-1812, a previous version by Cayetano Rodríguez was deemed ineffective. Within less than a year, the Assembly of Year XIII sought new lyrics, leading to the unanimous selection of López y Planes' work in March 1813. Parera's composition premiered orally on 14 May at Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson's home, though no documentary evidence confirms this specific date; the first printed sheet bears that same date. Controversy later arose over a single word: 'opone' versus 'pone.' The original manuscript read 'Buenos-Ayres se opone á la frente,' interpreted as opposing the union, while a corrected version on 14 May changed it to 'pone,' meaning Buenos Aires positions itself at the front. Despite these textual debates and musical reforms by Juan Pedro Esnaola in 1860—who slowed the tempo and enriched harmony—the core structure adopted in 1927 and confirmed as state anthem in 1944 remains rooted in that May 1813 foundation.
Reader's Guide
For fans attending international matches, the experience is strictly regulated. Decree 10302/1944 mandates performance at all official events, with attendees expected to stand and sing. However, due to the full anthem's length of three to four minutes, sporting events utilize shortened instrumental versions. Since 2019, professional soccer games play a specific sequence: the instrumental part before the chorus, followed by the chorus itself, and concluding with the coda. The Olympic Games use an abridged version containing the entire modern lyrics but omitting the pre-chorus instrumental. These arrangements, while traditional in sports, are not recognized by Argentine law. Radio broadcasters voluntarily play it at midnight, while TV channels do so before closing. Violations of reproduction rules have occurred, such as Charly García's 1990 cover on 'Filosofía barata y zapatos de goma,' which stirred significant controversy.
Did You Know?
- The original 1813 lyrics included the line 'with strong arms they tear to pieces the arrogant Iberian lion,' which was omitted in 1900 to respect Spanish immigrants.
- Blas Parera received 200 pesos for conducting the official premiere of the anthem on 28 May 1813.
- The word 'opone' in the original manuscript meant Buenos Aires opposed the union, but was changed to 'pone' (positions itself) on a corrected song sheet dated 14 May 1813.
- Juan Pedro Esnaola created an official version in 1860 that slowed the tempo and enriched the harmony, a version reinstated after being rejected by a 1927 committee.
- The anthem was officially named 'Himno Nacional Argentino' when published with that title in 1847.