Daniel Scioli surprised at the last assembly of the Federal Tourism Council by appearing with an unexpected gift: his own yerba mate, created especially to give away at institutional meetings. The brand, called “Pichichi”, takes up the nickname he used during his time as a futsal player at the Villa La Ñata club. The package, orange in color and with the number 9 printed, reinforces that sporty aesthetic. But what caught the most attention among those present was the back of the packaging: a drawing of the official in the middle of the game and a provocative and humorous slogan, “You got out of hand,” a phrase that works as a direct nod to the accident that Scioli suffered in 1989 while competing in motorboating, when he lost part of his right arm.
The weed is not for sale. It is a limited edition intended only as a gift, as explained by those around it. The production was carried out by friends of the Secretary of Tourism, Environment and Sports, the same ones who months ago had produced another special edition with the colors of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi’s number 10. The gesture generated surprise and comments alike, mixing humor, self-reference and an aesthetic that combines sport and politics in equal parts.
The informal launch coincides with a particular moment in the herbal sector, which has been showing rising numbers. In the first nine months of 2025, domestic consumption grew almost 10% compared to the previous year, and exports are on track to exceed 50 million kilos, according to data from the National Yerba Mate Institute. In parallel, the Government moved forward with the almost total deregulation of the market through decree 812/2025, which creates a freer scenario for activity.
In this context, the appearance of the “Pichichi” herb operated as a picturesque detail within the CFT agenda and as a new example of Scioli’s personal style: playful, media-oriented and always willing to capitalize on his own biography in a humorous way.
