Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini had confessed he cursed Bukayo Saka before the England youngster went up to play his penalty, which he later missed in the Euro 2020 final. England lost in a penalty shootout after playing 1-1 in the allotted time and extra minute.
The Three Lions’Lions’ heroic campaign ended in heartbreak at their own stadium Wembley as the Azzurri won 3-2 in a shootout. Marcus Rashford had his penalty hit the pole while Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka had theirs saved by the player of the tournament Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Giorgio Chiellini said He Placed a Curse Saka to Miss the Penalty
Arsenal frontman Saka, 19, saw keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma save his spot-kick from clinching victory for Roberto Mancini’sMancini’s men. Italy and Juventus skipper Chiellini who had earlier fouled Saka in the game in what was arguably penalty said he was uttering some cursing words to Saka before playing the penalty. Chiellini said he said, “Kiricocho!” as Saka stepped up to shoot.
He was captured on camera mouthing the South American term shortly before celebrating Donnarumma’sDonnarumma’s save with his teammates. ”Kiricocho” is a South American term that translates roughly as ”Jinx” or ”Curses you”. It dates back to 1982, taking its name from a fan of Argentine club Estudiantes whose presence at training coincided with players getting injured.
Superstitious club boss Carlos Bilardo hired Kiricocho to attend games to put a hex on their opponents. Bilardo’sBilardo’s side lost just once throughout the season, and it was when the said fan was unable to attend.
Chiellini is known for using every trick to thwart his opponents, so maybe he did it. And the 36-year-old Juventus defender owned up when ESPN An Argentina journalist asked if he had placed the notorious curse on the teenager, and the 36-yea-old said yes he did. He said: “Ciao Cristiano. I confirm everything to you – Kiricocho!”
