Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, has explained his decision to skip the FIFA World Cup final against Spain on Sunday, attributing it solely to superstition. Rather than attending the match in person, Milei plans to watch from home, where he has followed Argentina’s previous seven games during the tournament. Since the defending champions won all of those matches, he is reluctant to alter what he believes is his lucky routine. Additionally, Milei intends to don the same heavy jacket he has sported throughout Argentina’s World Cup journey, hoping it will bring the team more good fortune in their quest for a consecutive title.
Superstition dates back to the 1990 World Cup
Much like Milei, numerous Argentines adhere to their own *cábalas*, steadfastly maintaining their routines while the national team experiences a winning streak. Some supporters opt to don the same outfit for each match, while others refuse to clean their Argentina jerseys until the tournament concludes. Many believe that watching the games from the same seat or alongside the same companions is crucial, fearing that any deviation could jinx the team’s success. A few even choose to abstain from watching altogether if Argentina scores when they are away from the screen during a prior game.
Even seemingly minor actions can transform into significant rituals. This World Cup, a notable viral video captured a group of fans reciting Bible verses just as Argentina scored against Egypt, leading them to adopt this practice for subsequent matches. Another common superstition involves attempting to bring bad luck to rival players by freezing figurines or slips of paper with their names written on them.
Historically, Argentine presidents have been wary of attending critical World Cup matches to prevent disrupting their team’s fortune. This practice can be traced back to the 1990 tournament when then-President Carlos Menem visited the national team just before it faced an unexpected defeat against Cameroon in its opening game.
Player Focus
Football may be played on the field, but superstitions have always played a role in the sport. Fans and players alike often cling to certain rituals that they believe can sway the outcome of games. In Latin America, especially in Argentina, these customs, called “cábalas,” are particularly meaningful. They showcase the deep emotional bond supporters share with their national team and highlight the notion that even minor habits can impact performances on football’s grandest stage.
When questioned about staying home due to superstitions, Milei confirmed his adherence to these beliefs, further detailing one of his personal rituals: “Given the cold weather, I avoid turning on the heat and instead wear a jacket branded by an oil company. On the day of the match against Switzerland, I felt quite warm and decided to remove it, only to see them score a goal against us. After that, I put the jacket back on and kept it on for the rest of the game.”
Team Analysis
After being labeled a ‘mufa,’ or jinx, Menem became the last sitting Argentine president to attend a national team match.
Match Outlook
On Thursday, when asked if he would join U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New Jersey for the game on Sunday, Milei firmly said, ‘No way.’ He clarified his plans in an interview with El Observador, a local Buenos Aires radio station, stating, ‘I will continue watching all the games from Olivos,’ referring to his official residence.
