Why did Brazil fans avoid decorating the Rocky statue before their match?

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Brazil Supporters Avoided the 'Rocky Curse' Superstition

Brazil fans chose not to decorate the Rocky statue prior to their match against Haiti, adhering to a local superstition known as the 'Rocky curse'. This belief among visiting supporters in Philadelphia suggests that altering the statue brings misfortune, potentially leading to defeat. The 'Rocky curse' gained recent prominence following Ecuador's decision to decorate the statue before their subsequent 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast on June 14.
Awareness of the 'Rocky Curse'

The 'Rocky curse' is a superstition prevalent among fans visiting Philadelphia, centred around the bronze statue of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa located outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Historically, supporters of visiting teams would gather on the museum steps, often adorning the statue with their national colours as a pre-match ritual. However, a growing number of fans have come to believe that interacting with the statue invites bad luck, citing a series of instances where visiting teams reportedly lost after such displays.
Ecuador's Experience Fueled the Narrative

This superstition received renewed attention after Ecuador fans decorated the Rocky statue in their national colours before their match against Ivory Coast on June 14. The subsequent 1-0 defeat, sealed by a late goal from Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo in the 90th minute, quickly became integrated into online folklore. Fans humorously attributed Ecuador's loss to the 'curse', despite other observers dismissing it as mere coincidence.
Brazil's Cautious Approach

Aware of the intensifying superstition, Brazil supporters deliberately refrained from dressing the statue or engaging in the customary large-scale celebrations on the Rocky Steps before their game. Even local voices in Philadelphia humorously cautioned visiting fans that "Rocky does not need your kit," as thousands still congregated in the city. Brazil ultimately secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Haiti, a performance supporters attributed, at least in part, to their decision to sidestep the perceived 'curse' and maintain their winning momentum.

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Why did Brazil fans avoid decorating the Rocky statue before their match?

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