Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia He arrived at Mar-a-Lago on a night that, apparently, mixed football, diplomacy and political lobbying. The president of the Argentine Football Association was present at a private dinner at the mansion of donald trump in Palm Beach, organized as a tribute to the conservative public figure Charlie Kirk; “An honor to be present at Mar-a-Lago, as part of the tribute to Charlie Kirk,” the sports leader posted on his X account.
Although some sympathy from the head of the AFA for the Republican activist murdered this year was unknown, the presence of Tapia, who had traveled to the United States for the 2026 World Cup draw, generated suspicion in the political spectrum. Journalistic sources agree that the dinner functioned as a broader bonding space. The Argentine thanked and spoke for a long time with Felix Lasarte, identified as a lawyer and one of the advisors linked to the Intelligence Commission of the Trump circle. “To Félix Lasarte for the invitation to this very important day,” posted the football leader.
The digital invitation card to the meeting that Tapia attended was disseminated in various media. The crimson flyer with gold letters indicates the various seating categories at the event’s main dinner: Silver classification for guests worth $50,000, Gold classification for guests worth $80,000, and Platinum classification for guests worth $125,000. Those attending the ceremony who were not participating in the banquet were only granted access by purchasing a single ticket for $10,000.
Regarding Lasarte, several international media describe him as a lawyer with influence in conservative circles in Miami and with access to officials linked to US security. In addition to being the bridge that facilitated Tapia’s presence in Mar-a-Lago, according to sources, his specialty is security for sporting events and institutional relations. The image of Tapia with the advisor, in the US residence, was interpreted in Casa Rosada as a move with diplomatic and symbolic implications.
This political context was superimposed on an open conflict between the national government and the AFA that intensified in recent weeks. The Executive once again promoted the regulation of Sports Limited Companies (SAD), clashing once again with the traditional football leadership, after the scandal of the raids linked to Sur Finanzas, a financial company linked to Tapia’s own environment, due to suspicions of money laundering and evasion.
The raids ordered by the Federal Justice and the mention of the financial operations of the highest entity of Argentine soccer were the basis for Casa Rosada and the ruling party to criticize the leader for conflicts of interest and lack of transparency. In the public dispute, Milei and his circle were critical of Tapia’s leadership. Several analysts, consulted in specialized media, highlighted that the photo at Mar-a-Lago fueled the narrative that the sports leader is moving according to his own logic, which bothers milleism.
Judicial sources cited by the press detailed that the investigation seeks to follow financial traces and verify if there were money laundering or evasion maneuvers. Until now the cases are being heard in court and the defenses prefer to talk about “regular operations” until the investigations are resolved. On that side, what began as a fraternal image in a Palm Beach residence ended up becoming a message with replicas in diplomacy, Justice and Argentine internal politics.
Donald Trump’s relationship with football is neither new nor monolithic. This year, the president took center stage in the World Cup draw and international media recorded public gestures by FIFA towards the Republican, including a ceremony in which the organization presented him with a symbolic award. The president himself was enthusiastic about the tournament that will be played next year on North American soil.
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