The ritual that worries the followers of Argentina and Brazil

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June 19, 2026June 19, 2026By Mario Vásquez
The ritual that worries the followers of Argentina and Brazil

With the 2026 World Cup In full development, one of the superstitions that has emerged quite strongly in the United States is the so-called “curse of Rocky Balboa“, a popular belief in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which warns that no selection should place its flag or t-shirt about the famous statue of the boxer.

He Lincoln Financial Fieldin Philadelphia, is one of the 16 World Cup venues and during the group stage it will host matches from Brazil, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Curacao, France, Iraq, Croatia and Ghana. However, this Rocky curse could also indirectly affect the selection of Argentinawhich is based in Kansas City.

This is because, although there is no evidence to support it, the myth has gained strength in North America after some episodes that occurred during the World Cupwhere the most emblematic case was that of Ecuadorwho fell in his debut against Ivory Coast after an Ecuadorian gave Rocky a T-shirt of the tri.

However, the legend was born in January 2002 in American sports, especially in the National Football League (NFLfor its acronym in English), because, according to local tradition, when visitors dress the Rocky statue with the colors of his team before a match, that set ends defeated.

Rocky’s curse that torments the national teams

The repetition of various coincidences throughout these 24 years has fueled the fame of the Rocky Balboa statue, located next to the Art Museum of Philadelphia, one of the most emblematic tourist spots of the city and the state of Pennsylvania. Therefore, during this World Cup, the case reignited the debate international.

One day before his debut against the Ivory Coast, two Ecuadorian fans placed a flag and a Tri shirt over the Rocky statue, since they were unaware of its existence. curse. Twenty-four hours later, the South Americans were defeated and on social networks the fans were identified as responsible.

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He freak It had such an impact that even fans of other teams, such as Brazil, publicly recommended not intervening on the statue of Rocky Balboa during its visit to Philadelphia. Despite that, some Brazilians decided to congregate so that the so-called curse would fall on their greatest rivalthe Albiceleste.

Nobody covered the sculpture with the colors of Brazil, since the strategy of the Brazilians was different. A supporter of the greenyellow left an Argentina jersey at the feet of the Rocky statue, in an attempt to transfer the supposed curse to the current world champion to suffer the effects of superstition.

Philadelphia Statement

“Pennsylvania welcomes them with affection and wishes them the best of luck in their next World Cup matches. As good hostswe would like to share information about a freak documented: the curse of the Rocky statue,” said the city’s Tourism Office, reflecting the reach that this statue has acquired. belief.

“We apologize for not sharing this statement sooner. The teams that have dressed Rocky in their colors have subsequently lost. Ecuador He did it on Sunday. Coincidence? Unfortunately, history says no. “Philadelphia can’t wait to receive them!” reported the authority, in a message that encouraged to rival fans.

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