Soccer players are part of the over-superstitious people category. Most of them walk with the right foot on the field or they make a cross before. Some of them take a tuft of grass and put it in their shirt or wear medallions of luck. In 2014, Benfica Lisbon lost the eighth European Cup final after the curse of Bela Guttmann. In the past, however, there have been many cases of "bad luck" or long periods of failure, and those concerned have turned to talismans, prayers or incantations.

Soccer players are part of the over-superstitious people category. Most of them walk with the right foot on the field or they make a cross before. Some of them take a tuft of grass and put it in their shirt or wear medallions of luck. In 2014, Benfica Lisbon lost the eighth European Cup final after the curse of Bela Guttmann. In the past, however, there have been many cases of "bad luck" or long periods of failure, and those concerned have turned to talismans, prayers or incantations.

At the end of 1937, after his team had lost with 0-12 to the Brazilian team Vasco da Gama, a Brazilian supporter named Arubinha buried a frog with his mouth sewn under the winner field and cursed: "Vasco not to win the championship for 12 years", wrote Eduardo Galeno in his book" Football, Lights and Shadows ".

For many years, club supporters and leaders have searched the frog on the field and around. The team buys the best players in the country, has the best coaches and still does not win trophies. In 1945, they managed to win the Rio de Janeiro championship, and as the last title conquered was in 1934, 11 years ago, the club president concluded: "God made us a small reduction."

Former Spanish coach Pablo Hernandez Coronado said that Real Madrid has not won the title for six seasons after changing its size on Santiago Bernabeu. "The Spell" was shattered by a supporter who buried a garlic in the circle at the center of the field.

In 1953, the Flamengo club was going through difficult moments after nine years without winning the title. Catholic priest Goes guaranteed victory on condition that players go to church and pray. Thus, Flamengo won the trophy for three consecutive years, and rival clubs have complained to Cardinal Jaime Camara for their opponents using "unacceptable weapons". The priest prayed holding in his hand rosary in the colors of the club, but also invoked an African divinity. Players quit to go to church after the team lost the championship in the fourth year.

Former Colombian international Freddy Rincon had a disappointing performance at the 1994 World Championship. Later, we found out that the lack of enthusiasm was actually fear. A quack from Buenaventura had predicted the results of the tournament, which proved to be true, and if he did not take great care he would break a foot.

Other "stories" about football and superstition:

  • Argentina's Technical Director at the 1986 and 1990 World Championships, Carlo Bilardo, does not let his players to eat chicken, which he says is bad luck, but he forced them to consume beef, which produces uric acid.
  • AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has forbidden the hymn of the club ''Milan, Milan'' on the grounds that it was transmitting evil waves that blocked footballers legs. In 1987, Berlusconi called for a new hymn called "Milan dei noastri cuori".
  • The Italian Magic Association guaranteed the success of their country in the World Championship Final in 1994. They were based on the charms and black magic that will prevent the victory of Brazil. The result contradicted this organization.
  • Goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo had eight goalless matches in the River Plate gate due to a "magic" cap. In the match against Boca Juniors, opponent Angel Clemente Rojas stole this talisman. River lost, and Carrizo takes two goals.
  • After winning the Brazilian title by Botafogo, in 1957, Didi left the field without changing his clothes to the locker and crossed the city of Rio de Janeiro in his equipment. It was a promise made to a protective saint.

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