Lionel Messi is just one game away from immortality as Argentina prepare to collide with France in the World Cup final - but Lionel Scaloni's side could be hampered by the dreaded 'Drake curse'.
The World Cup is the one accolade that has eluded Messi, 35, throughout his illustrious career. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar was a losing finalist back in 2014, so Argentina's talisman will be desperate to make amends in Sunday's showpiece final at Lusail Stadium.
The defending champions, France, stand in Argentina's way; and although Messi and Co. are quietly fancied by many to emerge victorious in Qatar, fans have been left alarmed after Canadian rapper Drake appeared to back Argentina to win the final.
Drake has garnered a reputation for being a bad-luck charm after backing numerous sporting teams in big events over the years, with the majority of them going on to lose. And after being captured on video throwing his weight behind Messi's side ahead of the World Cup final, quick-witted fans on social media have written off Argentina on the eve of Sunday's seismic showdown.
In a brief clip that has gone viral on social media, Drake, wearing a Napoli shirt, says: "I'll take Argentina, he'll take France. That will be a vibe," to someone off screen, indicating that a wager has been struck ahead of the match.
Drake's own country, Canada, was even struck with the curse when the rapper posed for a picture with star man Alphonso Davies prior to the tournament. John Herdman's side were tipped to be one of the tournament's surprise packages but failed to progress past the group stage, losing all three games.
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Various other high-profile sporting stars, including Anthony Joshua, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Aguero, have all suffered crushing defeats in big events shortly after posing for pictures with Drake. Messi will be determined to avoid the curse after admitting that Sunday's showdown will be his final ever World Cup match, meaning it's now or never in terms of realising his life-time goal of lifting the World Cup.
Speaking earlier this week, as quoted by Argentine newspaper Ole, Messi said: “[I am] Very happy to be able to achieve this [reaching the World Cup final]. Ending my World Cup journey by playing my last match in a final. Everything I experienced in this World Cup is something very exciting, what people experienced, how people in Argentina are enjoying it.”
When he was asked if he meant Sunday's match would be his final ever World Cup game, Messi clarified: “Yes, surely yes. There are many years for the next one and I don't think it will give me. And ending like this is the best.”
