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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday received Argentina's ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wajnis, and used the meeting to send a personal message of support to President Javier Milei ahead of Sunday's FIFA World Cup final, blending sports diplomacy with the warm political ties the two leaders have cultivated since Milei took office.
"Javier, you are a true friend," Netanyahu told the ambassador to relay to Milei. "We support you and support Argentina in so many ways, including tomorrow. Good luck!"
The exchange was mutual. Ambassador Wajnis conveyed greetings from Milei to the prime minister, quoting the Argentine president as saying: "You are my friend and always support us. I was glad to hear that you're rooting for Argentina because of me."
The warm words came against the backdrop of a bilateral relationship that has grown into one of the most distinctive in recent years.
Milei, who took office in Dec. 2023, made his alliance with Israel a cornerstone of his foreign policy from the outset, describing the country as a "strategic ally" of Argentina with "shared values."
He has visited Israel three times since his inauguration, most recently in April 2026 for a state visit that included meetings with both Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
Netanyahu has been equally effusive. He has publicly described Milei as "a great friend of Israel" and praised the Argentine leader's free-market economic policies.
The two governments have formalized their closeness through cooperation agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence signed during the April visit.
Milei, though raised Catholic, has shown a deep personal interest in Judaism, studying Jewish scripture and expressing intentions to convert.
In June 2025, he visited Israel days before Israeli strikes on Iran and has consistently defended Israeli military operations at international forums.
He also used prize money from the Genesis Prize, awarded to him in Jerusalem, to fund the "Isaac Accords," a $1 million initiative aimed at deepening diplomatic ties between Israel and several Latin American countries.
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Sunday's World Cup final, scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will pit Argentina against Spain, in what will be the first-ever World Cup final between the two nations.
Argentina, the reigning champion that claimed its third title in Qatar in 2022, is chasing an unprecedented back-to-back triumph and what would be its fourth World Cup overall. Argentina advanced to the final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semifinals, with both late goals assisted by Lionel Messi.
Netanyahu, in a separate recent media appearance, had already made his support for Argentina public, saying he was following the team closely and citing his relationship with Milei as the reason.
Saturday's meeting with the ambassador formalized that backing through official channels.
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