Football has always had a spiritual and supernatural side, with jinxes, curses, and rituals integral to the game. While some may consider them mere folklore, others believe these tales hold some truth. In this article our guest author Aladár Kollár explores some of the world’s most famous football curses, including England’s international struggles, the curse of Manchester United’s number 7 jersey, and the notorious Drake curse, which have captured the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide. Sit back, relax, and prepare to immerse yourself in the enigmatic and captivating world of football curses.
A Dive into World Football’s Dark Legends
-
Benfica European Final Curse
A finish line curse has haunted one of Portugal’s most successful football clubs, S.L. Benfica, in European competitions. The curse has seen Benfica come close to European glory only to fall short in the final stages. The Lisbon-based club won consecutive European Cup titles in 1961 and 1962. But after their back-to-back victories, Benfica Football Club has been unable to win another major European title. Since then, they have lost several European finals, including five UEFA Champions League finals and three UEFA Europa League.
Many F.C. Porto fans find this curse amusing as both clubs are rival Portuguese football clubs. S.L. Benfica coaches have also been impacted by this superstition, as they have been under a lot of pressure to break the curse, and it has led to scrutiny from many fans.
-
England’s failure to win an international trophy
England’s national football team has a history of underachievement in international tournaments. Despite having many top-tier talents, England has faced disappointments in competitions like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.
Their international struggles go as far back as 1953 when the Hungarian national team famously defeated them 6-3 at Wembley Stadium, marking England’s first-ever home defeat by a non-British team. This “curse” can be said to be caused by high expectations and pressure on players.
-
Man United’s number 7 jersey curse
The number 7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by some legendary players, like George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, since Cristiano Ronaldo left the club in 2009, the players who have worn the number 7 jersey have struggled to succeed in the team.
This was evident in players like Angel Di Maria, Antonio Valencia, and Memphis Depay, who struggled and faltered during their time at the club. It is almost as if the weight of history and expectations surrounding the number 7 jersey weighs heavily on the shoulders of those who wear it. To date, Manchester United fans continue to hope that a player will one day break the curse surrounding the number 7 jersey.
-
The Defending World Champions Curse
This curse refers to a situation where the national team that won the FIFA World Cup in the previous tournament often struggles to perform well in the subsequent one. This has become a pattern as it has occurred multiple times. This was the case with Spain, who won the World Cup in 2010 but disappointed pundits in 2014 as they were eliminated in the competition’s group stage.
Germany also suffered a similar fate as the 2014 FIFA World Cup winners finished bottom of their group in 2018. However, this curse can be excused as the difficulty of maintaining excellence over multiple tournaments. Various factors, such as increased pressure and tactical adjustments by opponents, contribute to this.
-
Chelsea No. 9 Jersey Curse
Chelsea FC’s No. 9 jersey has become associated with underperformance in recent years. The origin of this curse is unclear, but it has been evident in notable players like Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, and Alvaro Morata. They all had struggles during their time wearing this iconic number.
For example, Fernando Torres was once considered one of the world’s best strikers. However, he struggled to replicate his Liverpool form after signing to Chelsea in the 2011 football season. However, El Nino managed to salvage his Chelsea career by scoring in their journey to become Champions of Europe. This curse has left Chelsea fans wary whenever a new striker takes on the number 9 in the soccer team.
Inter Milan is also facing the same problem as Chelsea, as there is a superstition that revolves around the struggles of footballers who have worn the number 9 jersey for the club in recent years.
-
What is the Drake Curse
The Drake curse revolves around the idea that whenever the Canadian rapper Drake publicly supports a particular sports team or athlete, they are almost guaranteed to lose their upcoming match.
Several teams have experienced the Drake curse, most notably Los Blancos. Drake visited the Real Madrid stadium and posed for pictures wearing the team’s jersey. Shortly after his visit, Real Madrid experienced an unexpected draw against a lower-ranked opponent.
Another instance of this curse was when Drake was spotted at an AC Milan game. Shortly after, AC Milan, usually known for their success in penalties, faced a penalty shootout and lost. This led fans to playfully suggest that the Drake Curse had struck the club’s penalty-taking abilities.
The Hungarian national team once had a crucial European Championship match ahead of them. Their coach was seen with Drake during a promotional event just before the game. Hungary lost the match, and some said his association with Drake had brought about the curse. These instances have led some bettors to wager against Drake’s bets or the teams he supports.
-
Aaron Ramsey’s Goal Curse
Aaron Ramsey’s Goal Curse is a superstition in the world of soccer that suggests that whenever the footballer scores a goal in an important game for his club or national team, it is often followed by the untimely passing of a well-known figure from the world of entertainment or politics.
An instance of the Aaron Ramsey curse was in May 2011. The footballer scored a goal for Arsenal against Manchester United, and shortly after, it was reported that Osama bin Laden had been killed. Again, in 2011, Ramsey scored a goal for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur. Within a week, Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., passed away. Another instance was when Ramsey scored a goal against Cardiff City in November 2013 while playing for Arsenal. Just days later, actor Paul Walker, known for his role in the “Fast and Furious” film series, tragically died in a car accident.
Despite the fact that it is almost impossible to scientifically prove the influence of curses on the results of games, many bettors attach some importance to this aspect. For example, on the https://mightytips.hu/ which provides analysis, predictions and reviews of licensed bookmakers, you can find expert opinions and statistics to help you make more informed decisions when choosing betting and bookmakers. Whether you believe in curses or not, intelligent and informed betting always remains a key element of a successful experience in the world of sports betting.
