Drake has never been shy when it comes to putting money where his mouth is.
The Canadian rapper often uses high-stakes bets as a show of support for his nation, and ahead of Tuesday’s Copa America semifinal between Canada and Argentina, he did just the same.
Drake placed a $300,000 bet on Les Rouges to beat Lionel Messi and the defending FIFA world champions. And given Argentina’s pedigree, plus the fact that it beat Canada 2-0 in the group stages, the wager stands to pay out a staggering $2.88 million if an upset happens.
This is Canada’s first Copa America, entering the tournament ranked 11th out of the 16 teams. Yet the red and white earned four points during Group A play to advance to the knockouts and then beat Venezuela via penalties to set up a rematch with Argentina.
If Canada beats Argentina and then wins the whole thing, it’d be its first major tournament victory since claiming the North American Nations Cup in 1990.
Fans will have to hope the bet isn’t the latest example of the “Drake Curse,” which some believe occurs to teams and athletes the pop icon wagers on. And if we’re looking at just 2024, it doesn’t bode well for Canada.
He bet $500,000 on the Dallas Mavericks to win the NBA Finals, and the same amount on the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup Final.
Neither bet delivered, as the Mavericks lost in five to the Boston Celtics, while the Oilers forced a Game 7 after being down 3-0 but ultimately fell to the Florida Panthers.
Instead of potentially winning $2.41 million, he lost $1 million.
If Canada does pull off the massive upset, would the most impressive part of it all be the fact it broke the “Drake Curse?”