Soccer world champion Lionel Messi (35) also bet on a lucky charm in the World Cup final against France, which he once received from a reporter. Argentinian journalist Rama Pantarotto entrusted Messi with the red ribbon during an interview during the 2018 World Cup. He offered it to the superstar after he missed a penalty against Iceland.

"It's from my mother, she loves you more than me," the journalist said. Since then, to the reporter's surprise, the superstar had carried it with him or lent it to a fellow player.

Before the round of 16 win against Australia, for example, he had given it to fellow striker Lautaro Martinez (25), who then wore it on his left wrist. Martinez scored on penalties in the final.

Messi already wore the ribbon on his left ankle as a lucky charm at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He showed that to Pantarotto when asked about the win against Nigeria. In the round of 16 it was over against France. A good four and a half years later, however, the revenge succeeded in Qatar, perhaps also thanks to Mama Pantarotto's talisman.