A Brazilian fan has turned to superstition in an apparent attempt to prevent Lionel Messi and Argentina from retaining the FIFA World Cup title, placing the Argentina captain’s jersey on Philadelphia’s renowned Rocky Balboa statue.
The remarkable move comes as Argentina continues to position itself as one of the stronger teams at the 2026 World Cup, following a solid 3-0 victory over Algeria, which was aided by a Lionel Messi hat trick.
Messi’s treble brought him level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, putting the Argentine superstar on the verge of becoming the tournament’s all-time top scorer.
With all 48 nations having completed their opening matches, Argentina has emerged as a top contender for the title, alongside France and England.
France began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, while England defeated Croatia 4-2.
Argentina’s overwhelming performance against Algeria, however, fuelled hopes that they would become the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
Lionel Scaloni’s team will now face Austria on June 22, knowing that another victory would put them in pole position to finish first in their group.
The story of the ‘Rocky curse’
The act using Messi’s shirt is tied to a long-standing Philadelphia superstition known as the “Rocky curse.”
According to local mythology, teams that place their colours or jerseys on the famed Rocky Balboa statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art frequently suffer defeat immediately after.
The superstition has gained popularity over the years, with multiple teams in other sports purportedly experiencing poor results after engaging with the monument.
Just days before Ecuador’s first World Cup play, fans gathered around the statue and decked it in Ecuadorian colours. The South American team then lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast after conceding a late goal.
The legend has grown so widespread that Pennsylvania tourist officials are reportedly issuing a light-hearted caution to teams visiting the area during the tournament.
The alert referred to the “well-documented phenomenon” and sarcastically warned participating nations about the risks linked with the Rocky monument.