Brazilian Fan Attempts ‘rocky Curse’ On Messi, Argentina At World Cup

However, it was Argentina’s dominant performance against Algeria that further strengthened belief they could become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup.

Lionel Scaloni’s side now face Austria on June 22, knowing another victory would put them in a commanding position to finish top of their group.

The legend of the ‘Rocky curse’

The stunt involving Messi’s shirt is linked to a long-standing Philadelphia superstition known as the “Rocky curse.”

According to local folklore, teams that place their colours or jerseys on the iconic Rocky Balboa statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art often go on to suffer defeat shortly afterwards.

The superstition has gained a reputation over the years after several teams across different sports reportedly experienced disappointing results after interacting with the statue.

Just days before Ecuador’s opening World Cup match, fans gathered around the monument and dressed it in Ecuadorian colours. The South American side subsequently lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast after conceding a late winner.

Officials joke about famous superstition

The legend has become so popular that Pennsylvania tourism officials reportedly issued a playful warning to teams visiting the city during the tournament.

The advisory referenced the “well-documented phenomenon” and humorously cautioned participating nations about the risks associated with the Rocky statue.