The sky-blue and white jersey was not the only striking feature of Argentina's journey in the 2026 World Cup; there was a small detail that caught the attention of the fans, which was the red bracelet with the seven knots.
The bracelet appeared on the wrists of a number of "Tango" stars, including Lionel Messi, Lisandro Martinez, Nahuel Molina and Giovani Lo Celso, becoming one of the distinctive symbols within the ranks of the Argentine national team.
Although many know it as the "Red Bracelet," it is actually known as the Seven Knot Bracelet, a talisman prevalent in a number of spiritual traditions.
The origin of this bracelet is often linked to Kabbalah, a mystical current in Jewish tradition, where the red thread is seen as a symbol of protection from the "evil eye," or what is interpreted as negative energies or envy.
Over time, the meaning of the bracelet has transcended the religious aspect and become part of popular culture, as millions of people around the world use it as a symbol of protection, inner strength, or to bring good luck, regardless of their beliefs.
As for Messi’s story with the bracelet, it dates back to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when an Argentinian journalist gave him a red thread that his mother asked to reach the team captain as a symbol of protection.
Since then, Messi has kept it and appeared with it in his biggest football moments, from the 2022 World Cup to the 2026 World Cup.
Yes, provided it does not pose a danger to the player or the opponent. According to Article 4 of the Laws of the Game issued by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), players are not permitted to wear any equipment or devices that could be dangerous.
But because this bracelet is made of fabric thread and does not contain any hard or metal parts, it is permissible to wear it as long as the referee deems it does not pose a danger.
