BTS have just wrapped up an incredibly successful three-night concert series in Argentina as part of the South αмєяι¢αn leg of their ARIRANG World Tour. Tens of thousands of ARMYs continuously chanted “Argentina” and “BTS” in support of the group, singing along to their нιт songs for more than two hours each night. After 13 years of standing by their idols, fans finally had the opportunity to express their love and all the emotions they had been holding onto.

The meaningful activities of fans extended beyond the stadium and into the wider community. In response to the messages, comfort, and encouragement BTS have brought them, local ARMYs joined forces to launch a large-scale fundraising campaign for Garrahan Children’s Hospital in Argentina, attracting considerable attention from local media.

BTS, meanwhile, also demonstrated deep respect for local culture as a way to connect more closely with their fans. During the concerts, the members surprised and deeply moved au∂ιєnces by taking the stage in jerseys and jackets representing Argentina’s national football team and featuring different eras of Lionel Messi’s career. This thoughtful preparation beautifully reflected the profound love local people have for Messi.

Notably, one of the number 10 jerseys j-hope wore onstage during the concerts was not simply an outfit prepared by the team behind the scenes. He had personally purchased it himself at a local store.

Specifically, j-hope visited Local Visitante, a jersey shop in Argentina’s capital, and personally selected a pink FC Barcelona jersey from the club’s 2020–21 third-kit collection. This was also the final season Messi played for the club he had been αѕѕociated with for 21 years.

Following j-hope’s visit, Local Visitante shared a thank-you message on Instagram, expressing its delight that he had chosen an item from the store and worn it onstage. According to reports, the jersey subsequently sold out in every size.

When the news circulated, many fans were surprised by the affection j-hope showed for an Argentine football icon and a legend of the sport worldwide. Major fan accounts on social media subsequently shared photos of j-hope wearing Messi jerseys throughout BTS’s three-night concert series in Argentina, along with fans’ and netizens’ reactions to his gesture toward the football superstar.

The Instagram account hobicase218 wrote: “THIS MUCHACHO IN MESSI JERSEYS. It is a big chance that j-hope curated his jerseys during his three days in Argentina. ‘He always has a plan.’” The account also quoted a fan’s comment: “A Hobi-biased and football enthusiast said, ‘The pink one is the 2020–21 model from Messi's final season with Barça, and to make it even better, it's not the home or away kit; it's the third kit. For a true football lover, that is an incredible choice!’ - @y5ok6o_hope”

What delighted ARMYs even more was that j-hope himself had seen the post and left a like after learning about fans’ reactions to his gesture toward Messi.

On social media, many continue to discuss j-hope’s love of football and the way he has shown his respect for Argentine culture:

- It's because of things like this that I LOVE him. Hobi is so sweet 

- The fact that he picked messi 10 and not some random fashion piece says everything about how he actually moves

- Wearing that jersey on a bts stage is actually insane when you think about how many idols never acknowledge local fan spaces like that. san telmo boutiques are such a specific cultural thing too he really didnt have to do all that.

- j-hope personally going to the store to buy a Messi jersey himself makes this even more meaningful. He really knows how to show love and respect for the culture of the country he's visiting

- THE FACT THAT HOBI LIKED THE POST AFTER SEEING EVERYONE'S REACTIONS. He knows ARMY noticed his little gesture, and that makes this whole story even sweeter!

- Messi is a legend in Argentina, and Hobi showing his appreciation for him in such a thoughtful way is honestly so beautiful

- Buying the jersey himself and then wearing it onstage in Argentina is such a thoughtful gesture. He understands how much Messi means to the people there

- Sometimes, the smallest gestures say the most. Argentina gave him so much love, and he found his own way to give some back