Family duel now 1-1 after Argentina’s win

Decked out in their colours, lifetime lovers Donovan 'Merry Man' Whyte and Marie Marsh turned up at Allure Blue Lounge in Waterhouse, St Andrew, on Sunday to watch their teams, Argentina and France respectively, battle for the coveted World Cup title.

As the two football heavyweights traded punches in a breathtaking final, the Portmore, St Catherine-based couple, who tied the knot some 25 years ago, recalled the 'first touch' that brought them together in Whyte's makeshift barbershop in Waterhouse.

"Mi frighten when mi hear dis pretty, sexy girl a talk 'bout football. Mi seh to mi self say, 'a weh she have time fi watch football? She must have a boyfriend weh play ball'," recalled Whyte.

Though she only went to get her eyebrows shaved, Marsh, co-owner of Salon Emporia and Beauty Supplies, in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, admitted to being intrigued by the passionate discussion that Whyte was having with his friends, ironically about his beloved Argentina and the World Cup.

"So wi deh deh a talk 'bout how Maradona gwane inna '86 World Cup, and Marie just deh deh a look intensely pon we a talk; and when she mention 'bout Cruyff, mi spin 'round same time. Marie a young girl dem time deh, probably inna 'bout fifth form. But a from deh so mi start love har off," said 50-year-old Whyte, also a co-owner of the family business.

The feeling of deja vu engulfed the lovers on Sunday despite their opposing choices. In-between comforting hugs as her French team fell 2-0 behind the South Americans giants before half-time, Marsh, 48, was gushing all over Whyte, who she deems to be her "best friend".

"Mi love him and football," claimed the well-known hairstylist.

She said that the World Cup, and football generally, has always been a high point in their relationship.

"That's how we really started to click. His passion for football was almost the same when he was 'looking me'.(laughs). Right now, mi think bout dem equal, but I can't complain," Marsh added.

The two, who share a son and two grandchildren, said they both thoroughly enjoyed the game, in which Argentina emerged 4-2 winners on penalties following a nail-biting 3-3 draw during regular and extra time.

"A so finals fi nice, mi a tell yuh. Although mi side lose, mi still happy because they gave it their best shot," Marsh said, smiling.

Argentina's win means that their family duel is now locked at one apiece, following France's triumph at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Whyte said he is hoping that his side will repeat their feat in 2026, when the World Cup returns, as it wouldn strengthen his case to convince his wife to make a switch.

"A years now mi a try get her fi switch and come pon di Argentina wagon. Mi tired fi tell her say the waggonist transfer form still put up safely inna har draw at home, and she is also welcome to fill it out," Whyte joked.

With a straight face, Marsh, who said her support for France started in the 2006 World Cup after watching Zinedine Zidane play in Germany, quickly dismissed the idea.

"Never in my years here on Earth mi a guh bring Argentina. Listen, yuh see from mi see Zidane inna 2006, a deh so mi thing deh, with France. And now, worst, the baller dem young and can play, like Mbappe, how mi fi bring another side?" Marsh remarked.