Argentine President Javier Milei announced Thursday that he will not attend the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina. Instead, he plans to watch the game from his presidential residence in Olivos, continuing a ritual he believes has brought his nation luck throughout the tournament. Milei stated he will also wear the same heavy jacket he has worn for the previous seven matches, all of which resulted in victories for Argentina.
Milei explained his decision to a local Buenos Aires radio station, El Observador, when asked if he would join U.S. President Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in New Jersey for the game. "No way," he replied. He elaborated on his superstitious practices, mentioning a specific incident where he removed his jacket during the Switzerland game, after which Argentina conceded a goal. He put the jacket back on and has not removed it since.
This adherence to superstition, known as "cábalas" in Latin America, is deeply ingrained in Argentine culture, particularly in the context of national team sports. Fans and players often engage in specific rituals, believing they can influence game outcomes. These can range from wearing the same clothes for every match and refusing to wash jerseys to watching games from a designated spot or avoiding certain actions during critical moments.
Historically, Argentine presidents have been cautious about attending high-stakes World Cup games. This practice dates back to the 1990 tournament, when then-President Carlos Menem's visit to the squad shortly before a loss to Cameroon led to him being labeled a "mufa," or a jinx. No sitting Argentine president is known to have attended a national team match since that event.