A Brazilian football supporter has sparked attention online after resorting to superstition in what appears to be an attempt to stop Lionel Messi and Argentina from defending their FIFA World Cup title.
The fan was spotted placing an Argentina jersey bearing Messi’s name on Philadelphia’s iconic Rocky Balboa statue, a landmark that has long been associated with a bizarre sports superstition known as the “Rocky Curse.”
The unusual stunt comes as Argentina continue to strengthen their status as one of the favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup following an impressive 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match.
Messi Leads Argentina’s Charge
Argentina’s win was inspired by a brilliant hat-trick from Lionel Messi, who once again proved why he remains one of the most influential players in world football.
The three goals took Messi’s World Cup tally to 16, drawing him level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose and leaving him just one goal away from becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
With the victory, Argentina sent a strong message to the rest of the competition and further cemented their place among the leading contenders for the trophy.
Argentina Among the Early Favourites
After all 48 participating nations completed their opening fixtures, Argentina have emerged as one of the standout teams of the tournament alongside France and England.
France began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, while England secured an entertaining 4-2 win against Croatia.
However, Argentina’s dominant display against Algeria has fueled growing belief that Lionel Scaloni’s men could achieve something no team has managed since Brazil in 1962 — successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
The reigning champions will return to action on June 22 against Austria, knowing that another victory could place them in a strong position to finish top of their group.
The Mystery Behind the ‘Rocky Curse’
The decision to place Messi’s jersey on the famous Rocky Balboa statue is rooted in a long-standing Philadelphia superstition popularly referred to as the “Rocky Curse.”
According to local folklore, teams that place their jerseys, flags, or colours on the statue often experience misfortune or defeat shortly afterward.
Over the years, the superstition has gained a cult following, with several teams across different sports reportedly suffering disappointing results after interacting with the monument.
The belief resurfaced earlier in the tournament when Ecuadorian supporters dressed the statue in their national colours before Ecuador’s opening match. The South American side later suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast after conceding a late goal, further fueling discussions about the supposed curse.
Officials Join in the Fun
The legend has become so popular that Pennsylvania tourism officials reportedly joined in the conversation ahead of the tournament.
In a lighthearted advisory, officials jokingly warned visiting teams about the Rocky statue’s reputation, referencing the “well-documented phenomenon” and playfully cautioning nations against testing their luck.
Whether the superstition holds any real power remains to be seen, but with Argentina looking unstoppable and Messi chasing yet another historic milestone, football fans around the world will be watching closely to see if the Rocky Curse can do what opposing teams have struggled to achieve.
