Superstition at its finest: Argentina's president sticks to his World Cup ritual

Javier Milei could have one of the best seats in the house for Sunday's FIFA World Cup final.

Instead, Argentina's president will be staying at home. Not because of politics or scheduling conflicts, but because of superstition.

The 55-year-old has confirmed he will once again watch Argentina from the presidential residence in Olivos, exactly as he has done throughout the tournament, convinced that changing his routine before the showdown with Spain would tempt fate.

"No way," Milei replied when asked whether he would travel to the United States for the final. "I'm going to keep watching all the games from Olivos."

But staying home is only part of his World Cup ritual.

Milei also revealed that he has worn the same jacket throughout Argentina's campaign after one frightening moment convinced him it had become his lucky charm.

"Since it's cold and I don't turn on the heat, I wear an oil company-branded jacket," he explained. "During the Switzerland game, I got too hot and took it off. They scored immediately. I put it back on and haven't taken it off since."

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The president is far from the only superstitious figure surrounding the national team.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has long admitted he always steps onto the pitch with his right foot first, a habit he says dates back to his playing days.

"I've done it since I started playing football, and I'll never stop. It doesn't matter what the result is."

The players have their own tradition as well.

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Before some of Argentina's biggest matches since their 2021 Copa America triumph, Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia have gathered for the same pre-match photograph.

The ritual was repeated before the 2022 Finalissima against Italy and later before the World Cup final against France, both of which Argentina won.

Whether any of those routines genuinely influence results is, of course, impossible to prove. But with another World Cup title now just one match away, nobody in Argentina seems willing to test their luck.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Sunday

Third-place match

00.00: (2.00) France (3.75) England (3.60)

Final

22.00: (2.35) Spain (3.00) Argentina (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***