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Can Lionel Messi's Argentina beat the ‘Drake curse’ again? Rapper places $1.5 million bet on World Cup final vs Spain
Drake earlier won a $1 million bet on Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, correctly backing Lionel Messi's side to defeat France.
Argentina has a date with destiny on Sunday, with the opportunity to become the first nation to defend the World Cup title in the 21st century and only the third to win back-to-back World Cups.
However, standing in their way is Spain, the tournament's best defensive side, as the two teams take the field at MetLife Stadium for the World Cup final.
While the fixture itself could hardly be more cinematic, with former Barcelona legend No. 10 Lionel Messi facing the club's young star No. 10 Lamine Yamal, along with seven other Barca players in Spain's squad, fans around the world have already begun picking sides in the luck-based betting game.
Drake picks Argentina to beat Spain
Among those making their pick is Rapper Drake, who has also placed a substantial wager on the World Cup final. According to reports, the Canadian artist has bet $1.5 million on Argentina to defeat Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
However, many Argentina supporters may not welcome the wager wholeheartedly, given the infamous "Drake curse" and its reputation for being followed by unfavorable outcomes in major sporting events.
What is “Drake curse"?
The so-called "Drake curse" has surfaced on numerous occasions, with several athletes and fighters suffering defeats after the rapper publicly backed them.
There have also been instances where a meeting or interaction with Drake was followed by an unfavorable result or loss for the sporting figure involved.
Can Argentina break Drake curse twice?
Nevertheless, Argentina fans may not have to be overly concerned about Drake backing their team, as this is not the first time he has wagered on La Albiceleste.
The 39-year-old rapper also placed a $1 million bet on Argentina to defeat France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar—a prediction that ultimately proved correct as Lionel Messi's side lifted the trophy.
Also read: Do third-place match winners only get bronze medals? Here's everything at stake in France vs England
Therefore, Lionel Messi-led Argentina will once again have the chance to defy the so-called "Drake curse," with another successful prediction potentially helping improve the rapper's reputation among fans when it comes to backing sporting events.
Argentina keeps defying omens
If this World Cup has shown anything, it's that La Scaloneta has already overcome several superstitions along the way. One of the earliest involved a Ghanaian witch doctor who went viral after predicting that Cape Verde would eliminate Argentina.
Another came in the quarterfinal against Switzerland, when YouTuber IShowSpeed—whose support had seemingly coincided with the elimination of several teams during the tournament—turned up wearing Argentina's famous striped jersey. Instead of falling victim to the so-called jinx, Lionel Messi's side advanced to the semifinals.
Now, with Messi set to face a Spain squad featuring a strong Barcelona core, another superstition enters the spotlight. Whether Argentina can overcome the "Drake curse" for a second time is a question that will linger until Sunday's World Cup final.
