The Players and Their Great Jinx: When Legends Meet Their Football Curse
Football is a sport defined by skill, pressure, and unforgettable moments. But even the greatest players sometimes carry a strange “jinx” that follows them throughout their careers. These aren’t about lack of talent; they’re about patterns and narratives that fans never stopped talking about. Here are five players whose brilliance was matched by an iconic football curse.
1. Michael Ballack — The Eternal Runner-Up
Michael Ballack was one of the most complete midfielders of his generation, yet his career became tied to one of football’s most famous jinxes: finishing second.
In 2002 alone, Ballack was runner-up in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League, and the World Cup.
Despite his world-class performances, the near-misses followed him for years, making the “Eternal Runner-Up” label as unforgettable as his leadership on the pitch.
2. Arjen Robben — The Finals Curse
Known for his unstoppable left-foot cut inside, Arjen Robben dominated defenses for more than a decade. But for years, he couldn’t escape the reputation that he “always loses finals.”
He lost the 2010 World Cup final, the 2012 Champions League final, and multiple domestic finals, many in games where he had golden chances.
The jinx finally broke in 2013 when he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final, rewriting his story in the best way possible.
3. Ronaldo Nazário — The World Cup Final Mystery of 1998
One of the greatest strikers ever, Ronaldo carried a strange jinx tied to the 1998 World Cup final. Hours before kickoff, he suffered a medical emergency that mysteriously removed him from the starting lineup, only for him to reappear minutes later.
He played, but Brazil were soundly defeated by France.
For years, the incident became one of football’s biggest unanswered questions, a shadow over an otherwise phenomenal career.
4. Lionel Messi — The National Team Curse (Broken in 2021)
Before lifting the Copa América in 2021, Lionel Messi had been followed by a long-time narrative: “he can’t win with Argentina.”
He lost multiple finals. 2007 Copa América, 2014 World Cup, 2015 and 2016 Copa América, often by narrow margins or in penalty shootouts.
The curse broke in Rio, and again at the 2022 World Cup, turning one of football’s most painful jinxes into an unforgettable redemption arc.
5. Harry Kane — The Trophy Drought
Harry Kane is one of Europe’s most consistent scorers, yet he remains known for one of football’s strangest modern jinxes: an almost complete absence of team silverware.
Despite individual brilliance, he has finished runner-up in the Premier League, Champions League, and European Championship.
Fans often describe Kane as “cursed by the game, blessed by the goals,” a uniquely modern football paradox.
Jinxes don’t define these players. Their careers rise above them. But in the drama of football, stories like these remind us that even legends face battles that stats alone can’t explain.
