The Argentina national team suffered more than expected, but managed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Cabo Verde, securing their spot in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The big hero of the night in Miami was Cristian «Cuti» Romero, who with a precise header in extra time broke a tense match and gave the win to Lionel Scaloni’s team.
However, what drew the most attention was not just the goal, but what happened minutes before the match began. In the pre-game, while the squad was preparing for the traditional official photo, the central defender surprised everyone with an unusual request: he wanted holy water. And not only that: he asked a member of the national team staff to run to the locker room to get it.
«Yes, I asked for holy water and they had it brought to me,» Cuti confessed with a laugh when journalists asked him about the episode. The defender revealed that he was not the only one to use the item: «We both used it,» he said, referring to his defensive partner Lisandro Martínez, who also joined the ritual.
The moment did not go unnoticed in the locker room. According to reports, Lionel Messi, who is usually very respectful of his teammates’ customs, could not help but burst out laughing when he heard about the request. «Messi was laughing, he couldn’t believe it,» said a source close to the squad.
Beyond the anecdote, the truth is that Argentina struggled to secure qualification. Cabo Verde, a team that arrived at the World Cup as one of the surprises, stood their ground and came close to pulling off an upset. But Cuti Romero, with his header in the opponent’s area, wrote the happy ending for the Albiceleste.
Now, Argentina awaits Egypt in the round of 16. A rival that promises to be very tough, but with Cuti and his holy water, the Argentines are confident of advancing. The next match will be key for the aspirations of Scaloni’s team, which seeks to repeat the glory of 2022.
The question that remains is: will Cuti continue with his ritual? For now, he has already earned a place in the history of this World Cup, not only for his goal but also for his peculiar way of preparing for matches. The holy water, apparently, worked for him. And how.
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Para mí el Cuti es un payaso de manual, pidiendo agua bendita como si fuera un curita de barrio y Messi cagándose de risa. Esto huele a circo mediático, los futbolistas son todos unos vendidos. Igual, contra Cabo Verde cualquiera hace un gol, no me vengan con pavadas.
Para mí este Cuti es un pelotudo con sus rituales berretas de agua bendita, y Messi cagándose de risa, una vergüenza. Pero bue, metió el gol, no como estos negros de mierda que tenemos acá que no sirven ni para juntar basura. Vamos Argentina carajo, esto huele a que se van a llenar la boca con cualquier gilada.