Rosario

Rosario is the most populous city in the province of Santa Fe and the third largest in Argentina, set on the western bank of the Paraná River with an identity that blends industrial and port heritage with deep-rooted sporting culture. Known worldwide as the birthplace of Lionel Messi — born in its streets in 1987 — and of countless other elite footballers who took their first steps in its neighborhoods, Rosario has consolidated its reputation as the 'Cradle of Argentine Football' in a way no other city can contest.

The pairing of Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys defines much of the city's social life. That passionate rivalry, far from dividing the city, has created a sporting ecosystem where young talent grows under maximum competitive pressure with minimal resources — historically producing players with exceptional competitive hunger. The city also shone in 2019 and 2022 as host of continental multisport events, and in 2026 becomes the central venue for the South American Games Santa Fe, the largest multisport event in South America.

Beyond football, Rosario has in recent years committed to a model of civic sport that broadens its offering to diverse disciplines and prioritizes territorial inclusion. Its 2026–2027 sports plan cements this vision and reaffirms the city's leadership within the ACES America network, where it actively participates in the American Sports Week. With the Paraná as its backdrop and the richest sporting legacy in the Argentine interior, Rosario is today a city in full effervescence.