Brazilian fans want to hex Messi
Is the “Rocky Curse” now hitting Argentina?
June 20, 2026 – 2:39 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Brazilian fans decorated the Rocky statue in Philadelphia with an Argentina jersey. The so-called “Rocky curse” is now supposed to affect Messi and Co.
The Rocky statue in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a world-famous symbol of fighting spirit and perseverance. But in recent years it has also taken on a completely different meaning: through the “Rocky Curse”. This means that any fan group that puts their team uniform on the statue will face defeat.
Numerous fans have experienced this several times in the past. Most recent example: Ecuador. fans of the Ecuadorian national team had decorated the statue with a jersey and a national flag – only to watch their opening game at the World Cup Losing 0-1 against Ivory Coast.
The fan group “Green and Yellow Movement” therefore explicitly warned their Brazilian compatriots via Instagram: “It is absolutely forbidden to place a Brazil jersey on the Rocky statue in Philly!” The message got across and the fans stuck to it. Instead of decorating the statue, they raised their arms in triumph – just like the boxer Rocky in the films of the same name after his fights. “No risk of being hit by the Rocky curse” seemed to be the motto.
Brazilians are trying to hex Messi and Co
What’s more: Brazilian fans even tried to take advantage of the “Rocky curse” themselves. They put an Argentine national team jersey on the statue. And in doing so they tried to direct the “Rocky curse” on their big arch-rivals from South America. It will be interesting to see whether he will be the team’s superstar Lionel Messi will now actually score – and the Argentines will play their next game on Tuesday (7 p.m. in Live ticker on t-online) may actually lose against Austria.
The Rocky statue, which was initially removed after filming the “Rocky” films and later placed at the foot of the actors’ famous stairs Sylvester Stallone which runs up in it, was brought back, attracts millions of visitors every year. It is a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world – and a popular photo opportunity, including for the Brazilian fans who are represented in large numbers in Philadelphia.
The city is home to almost 6,000 immigrants from Brazil and has a special connection to the South American country. That’s how they opened Philadelphia Eagles their 2024 Super Bowl championship season with a victory over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil.
Part one of the Brazilian fans’ plan has at least worked. Brazil won its second World Cup game against Haiti 3-0. Now the “Rocky curse” only has to hit the Argentines.