‘Drake curse’ strikes again as Anthony Joshua says ‘it’s real’, Roma ban photos and fans hope he jinxes rivals
IF you’re a sports star, and you’ve got a massive match, whatever you do DON’T take a picture with Drake.
The Canadian rapper, famous for hits including God’s Plan and Hotline Bling, has become somewhat of a curse for footballers including Sergio Aguero, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jadon Sancho – who all met him and then tasted surprise defeats.
And it’s got British boxing champ Anthony Joshua’s head in a spin ahead of his fight with Andy Ruiz Jr.
AJ is considering banning the hip-hop star from his dressing room because he doesn’t want the bad luck charm to jinx him.
In an interview with ESPN, ahead of his American debut on June 1, Joshua said: “I know I shouldn’t (welcome him in the dressing room). You know about the Drake curse? It’s real though.”
And it certainly is, as SunSport can now testify.
THE OMEN
Looking at the evidence, it’s the football world that’s mostly been affected of late.
Even Italian club Roma have cottoned on, joking on their Twitter that they’ve banned all their players from taking photos with the singer until the end of the season.
“I know I shouldn’t (welcome him in the dressing room). You know about the Drake curse? It’s real though.”
Anthony Joshua
And it seems they’ve got a case. When Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku went to Drizzy’s concert days before their FA Cup tie against Wolves, taking a snap backstage with their pop idol, they couldn’t expect what would happen next. Cue a 2-1 defeat that sent them crashing out of the cup.
Arsenal fans were left cursing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when he visited the O2 to catch one of Drake’s shows, even presenting Champagne Papi with a Gunners shirt. Next match, Arsenal lost to Everton 1-0.
Want more evidence? Sergio Aguero met Drake in Manchester after a show a few months back – shortly after they shook hands and hugged, the Argie missed a crucial penalty as Man City fell to Spurs in the Champions League.
Even in Europe they’re not safe. Jadon Sancho’s Dortmund were stunned 5-0 by Bayern Munich after the English winger hung out with the performer.
While PSG’s Layvin Kurzawa happily posed for a snap with Drizzy ahead of what looked like an easy game against Lille in Ligue 1 back in April. Somehow their star-studded team lost 5-1 – their biggest defeat in the French top flight for 19 years!
REVERSE THE CURSE
A mad Toronto Raptors fan, Drake often scores courtside tickets to watch the NBA giants. However, he’s never brought them much luck as they’ve continued to fall at the final hurdle.
But being an armchair fan, seems to have helped matters – and now he’s even managed to reverse the curse towards the opposition.
The Raptors played the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday in game 7 of the Conference semi-finals, and miraculously won.
Immediately, Drake took to Twitter to celebrate, and shared a video showing him wearing Philadelphia 76ers shorts.
With the Milwaukee Bucks up next, Drake will be urged to do the same again by his mates and stay away from the Scotiabank Arena.
SERENA AND McGREGOR TOO
Back in 2015, when Drake and Serena Williams started dating – the rapper thought he would cheer on his love at the US Open.
He decided to attend her semi-final against Roberta Vinci, a 300-1 underdog who Serena was expected to roll over.
Shockingly, Vinci triumphed in three sets – 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 – and the world was stunned. But Serena poured cold water over the curse.
She told Glamour magazine: “I’m the one who’s playing, who’s making mistakes or making winners. I’m not one to blame anyone else for anything.
“And I don’t think anyone else should either. I played a really good opponent that day. And I wasn’t at my best.”
Ahead of his UFC 229 tussle against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Irish fighter Conor McGregor decided to bring out Drake before his weigh-in.
Taking the stage carrying an Irish flag, he high-fived the brawler, the day before the big fight.
Conor was forced into a fourth round submission, losing the battle in the Octagon, and hasn’t returned to the sport since.
I’m the one who’s playing, who’s making mistakes or making winners. I’m not one to blame anyone else for anything.”
Serena Williams, a victim of the Drake curse
KING OF THE MEMES
Now do you believe it? Well, sports fans on social media do – often begging Drake to jinx their opponents before huge sporting events.
Tons of fans are convinced if he shows his love for teams they’re coming up against, they’ll be victorious instead.
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And loads of funny memes have now become synonymous with the Brit Award winner, that are flooding social media as you read this on this them.
Even Game of Thrones fans are convinced that the fictional Arya Stark will come a cropper in the show’s finale because he gave that character a shout-out while accepting an award at the Billboard Music Awards in the US at the beginning of May.
Thank God Drake’s tour is coming to an end, that’s all we can say.