Argentina's President to Skip World Cup Final for Superstitious Reasons

Milei's Decision to Stay Home

On Thursday, Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, announced that he will not attend the World Cup final on Sunday, despite Argentina's participation in the match. As reported by NBC News, Milei has opted for superstition over the excitement of being in the stadium, choosing to watch the game from his residence instead. Throughout the tournament, he has viewed all seven of Argentina's matches from home, and the team's flawless performance has led him to stick with this routine for the final against Spain. He plans to watch the game from Olivos, the presidential residence in Buenos Aires, maintaining his established practice.

Moreover, Milei intends to wear the same heavy jacket that he has donned during the tournament, considering it a good luck charm that he is unwilling to part with.

Declining an Invitation to Watch with Trump

Turning Down a Trip to Watch With Trump

The topic of Milei's attendance arose after speculation that he might travel to New Jersey to watch the final alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. When asked by a radio host from Buenos Aires station El Observador about the possibility of making the trip, Milei firmly replied, "No way," reaffirming his commitment to remain at Olivos for the match.

The Superstitious Jacket

The Jacket Story Behind the Superstition

When questioned about whether superstition influenced his decision, Milei confirmed it and elaborated on his reasoning. He recounted how during the match against Switzerland, he felt too warm and removed his jacket, which coincided with Argentina conceding a goal shortly thereafter. Since then, he has kept the jacket on, believing it to be a crucial element in maintaining the team's success.

A Long-standing Tradition

A Tradition That Goes Back Decades

Milei's cautious approach is not unprecedented among Argentine leaders. Historically, Argentine presidents have refrained from attending high-stakes World Cup matches due to fears of jinxing the team. This superstition dates back to 1990 when then-President Carlos Menem attended a match only for Argentina to suffer an unexpected defeat against Cameroon. Menem was subsequently labeled a "mufa," a term used in Spanish for someone who brings bad luck. Since that incident, no sitting Argentine president has attended a national team match in person, and Milei seems intent on preserving this tradition, as well as his team's winning streak, this Sunday.