Racing Club superfan Inés Vergottini’s analogue photography on ‘La academia’ and how she aims to document the “inexplicable passion” of the club’s fans. Words by Jordi Fairs.

On November 23, the streets of Paraguay’s capital, Asuncion, overflowed with a sea of distinctive baby blue and white stripes, as Racing Club celebrated winning their first Copa Sudamericana after defeating Brazilian side Cruzeiro 3-1.

The devoted passion of Racing Club fans, known locally as ‘La Academia’ was firmly on display, but the culture that follows the club on a weekly basis is nothing short of special. Analogue photographer, and lifelong fan, Inés Vergottini aims to portray this family-like enthusiasm in her work, highlighting the affection of fans towards the club, and Argentina’s football obsession in general. 

Founded in 1903, Racing Club de Avellaneda, to give them their full name, are historically one of Argentina’s biggest clubs. Located at the Estadio Presidente Perón, colloquially known as El Cillindro (The Cylinder), they are situated in the city of Avellaneda, in Greater Buenos Aires. Sat only 200 metres away from noisy neighbours and great rivals Independiente, they share Argentina’s second biggest derby, behind only the Superclasico between giants, also local, Boca Juniors and River Plate.

For Inés, football creates a family that she has been surrounded by since birth. “I live in Buenos Aires, where I studied fine arts, photography and sports journalism.”

“Racing club is my old man’s club. The idols that I was able to enjoy are Lisandro López and Diego Milito”, There are other legends that I couldn’t see, but they are historical, like Juan José Pizzutti, Coco Basile and Perfumo.”

Both Lopez and Milito were products of the Racing Club academy, enjoying success in their early as well as late career at their boyhood club. Lopez made his debut as a 20-year-old, becoming an instant hit as the following year he was crowned top scorer in the Apertura tournament. Despite leaving for Porto in 2005, his love affair for Racing Club never died, as he returned twice, making another 129 appearances from 2016, including another top scorer award as Racing Club won their 18^th title in 2018-19. 

Similarly, Milito also began playing for Racing Club as a 20-year-old, contributing to the 2001 title-winning season before leaving for Genoa in 2004. Just like Lopez, Milito returned to Racing Club, scoring on his first game back and ultimately aiding the team in winning the 2014 Transicion, Racing’s first title since that victory in 2001.

And, it would seem that it’s almost impossible to talk about football in Argentina without mentioning Diego Maradona. The perennial Argentine legend and world football icon even had a brief spell as head coach at Racing Club in 1995 before returning to Boca Juniors as a player. Despite his short tenure, El Diego still holds a god-like status amongst most supporters.

For Inés, “Football is the best and most exciting sport, especially in this country, where there is a very rich soccer culture”. 

The football fandom in Argentina, and South America as a whole, features an almost religious devotion to the game: through unbreakable loyalty, unwavering obsession, and a distinctive, individual identity that surrounds each club. Football is not so much seen as a game, but as a way of life. There is a communal feeling that is integral within Argentine football, acting as a source of national pride, that is seen as a way of connecting people, expressing identity and encouraging celebration.

Inés captures these very feelings through analogue photography, a form of photography that has recently returned to fashion with its rich image and unique aesthetic that standard, modern cameras simply cannot produce.

“A year ago I uploaded some of my analogue photos to Instagram. People liked it and that made me have continuity and carry the camera every game. Both locally and on trips.” 

“Through analogue photography, I try to express the passion that unites us with my racing brothers, an inexplicable passion.”

For Inés, showing these moments of fans devotion and obsession are significant, her photos serve as a record of the contagious and addictive football culture that surrounds Racing Club, demonstrating how the football club binds the local people and area together. 

As Racing Club celebrate their Copa Sudamericana victory, the good times for Racing Club will continue, and through the lens of Vergottini, the familial feeling will only get stronger.

Keep up with Inés and her photographic work on Intsagram.

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