– Yes, it is true that I gave Lionel Messi the ribbon four years ago. Recently I gave him ten meters of red ribbon so that he could give to the whole team during the World Cup, says the Argentinian journalist, Rama Pantorotto to news. From 2018 to today, the story of Messi and Pantorotto has had a common thread that has affected both the reporter and the Argentine national team. ARGENTINE DUO: Journalist Rama Pantorotto and Lionel Messi. Photo: Rama Pantorotto / Privat The ribbon brings happiness In the soccer World Cup held in Russia in 2018, Argentina struggled greatly. Messi was unable to color the disappointing game against Iceland, in the same way he did in all the games in this year’s championship. Pantorotto met Messi and the other stars after the match in the hope of giving them better results with the help of an incredible aid. He showed off a red ribbon from his mother, which he always carried with him. He thought Messi needed it as it seemed he was “jinxed” and that it would bring good luck. – My mother said I had to give this to you. She loves you more than me. I wear the red ribbon for good luck. It is from my mother, so take good care of it, said the reporter during the interview for the Argentine TV channel Telefe. Ten days later, Argentina had progressed with an upset against Nigeria, and Pantorotto met Messi again after the match. – I don’t know if you remember, but I gave you a band…, the reporter managed to say before Messi bent down and showed the red band that was attached around his ankle. – When I saw Messi had it on his ankle in 2018, I almost had a heart attack. Rodrigo De Paul told me after the World Cup in 2018 that he had also worn a red ribbon, the same as Messi’s, he says. THE LUCKY: Rodrigo De Paul told Pantorotto in person after the 2018 World Cup that he also wore a red armband like Messi. Photo: AMR ALFIKY / Reuters The red ribbon has left its mark After the final victory against France in this year’s World Cup, pictures of Messi with the red ribbon around his ankle appeared again. It is not known whether it is the same ribbon that Pantorotto gave to Messi just before the championship, but the journalist feels that he has made his small contribution to his home nation’s World Cup gold. – I am happy that my contribution with the red ribbon has left its mark, but I am taking it easy as I do not know if it is exactly the ribbon I gave him two months ago, he says. The story has spread on social media, and on Twitter former top scorer and BBC presenter Gary Lineker reacts like this: – Beautiful. AWARDS: Emiliano Martínez kept the red ribbon on during the awards ceremony. Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP Common superstition It is not only Argentina’s great superhero who has worn the red ribbon during the controversial championship in Qatar. Several players have been seen with it during training and after matches. Marcos Acuña and Lautaro Martínez were among those who were observed with a red band around their wrist. IN TRAINING: Marcos Acuña and Lautaro Martínez also used red tape during training ahead of the World Cup final against France to defend against bad luck. Photo: Natacha Pisarenko / AP According to Pantorotto, it is completely natural to wear red tape/bands around the ankle or wrist in their culture: – In Argentina, it is completely natural to use red tape. Several players in Argentina use it because it is in our natural superstition. – Wearing a red ribbon means that it should protect against envy and bad luck, he concludes.
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