Spain have won the 2026 World Cup after beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina in extra time.
It is the first time the European outfit have won the tournament since 2010, while Messi may now be ending his international career with just one World Cup, given he will be nearly 43 by the time the 2030 competition gets underway.
Some may have expected Argentina to win, especially as they had one of the world’s greatest players in their team.
Donald Trump himself even suggested they could have been favourites for the final. But did the ‘Trump curse’ strike again?
Donald Trump curse theory re-emerges after Argentina lose to Spain
Prior to Sunday’s game, the President said it is hard to bet against Messi.
He stated: “The head of Argentina is a friend of mine who has done a terrific job, but I would say it’s hard to bet against Messi. I watched that pass (vs England) I think you’d call it a pass. It was exactly perfect.
“It takes some talent to hit the ball off the head coming at that speed, but that was perfect if you had a strike zone, that would be perfect. Just before that, the way he got away from the defender, he was defended very well; all of a sudden, he’s standing by himself, so it’s hard to bet against him.
“I won’t pick sides but I think it’s very hard to bet against Messi; he’s great.”
But Argentina and Messi, of course, lost the final, leading some to suggest that the ‘Trump curse’ is a real thing.
Earlier this month, we saw USMNT fans point to the ‘Donald Trump curse’ theory as the reason for their World Cup exit.
And a number of fans are now talking about that curse again on the back of what the President said about Messi.
One stated: “The Trump Curse is real. 0-3 now when Trump picks your team.”
Another commented: “The Trump curse is real. Argentina was in a roll until Trump showed up to watch.”
A third added: “Trump curse strikes again. Knicks game 4, Harry Kane and now Messi.”
Another echoed: “The curse of Trump strikes again!” And another fan stated: “The Trump curse continues. Argentina and Messi were doomed by Trump.”
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