Argentina to wear navy blue: Tribute or superstition?

Argentina's decision to wear their navy-blue away jersey against England in this World Cup’s semi-final has sparked a familiar debate. Is it simply a kit choice, or are the reigning champions trying to recreate a little piece of history?

The shirt carries memories that every Argentina fan knows. The last time Argentina knocked England out of a World Cup, Diego Maradona was wearing that same blue jersey. That afternoon in Mexico gave football a moment that is still talked about almost 40 years later: the infamous "Hand of God" goal, which is arguably the most controversial goal in all of football history.

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For some fans, wearing blue again feels like more than a coincidence. It's a tribute to the man who defined Argentine football. Maradona may no longer be here, but his shadow still follows the national team.

Wearing the same colour against the same opponent almost feels like inviting a little bit of his spirit back onto the pitch.

The blue jersey could also mean something else: luck! Football has always had a strange relationship with superstition. Players and supporters love believing that certain rituals bring good fortune. Some footballers always step onto the pitch with the same foot first. Others refuse to change a routine after a winning run. Former France defender Laurent Blanc famously kissed goalkeeper Fabien Barthez's bald head before every match during the 1998 World Cup because France kept winning.

Supporters are no different. Ask any football fan, and they will probably admit to having a "lucky" jersey, a favourite seat in front of the television, or a matchday routine that they refuse to change. Deep down, everyone knows these habits do not decide the score. Yet, abandoning them somehow feels risky.

Whether Argentina chose blue because of superstition, sentiment, or simple planning may never be answered. National teams rarely explain these decisions beyond practical reasons.

And that's part of football's charm. A shirt is never just a shirt. It becomes a memory, a symbol and sometimes a source of hope. If wearing navy blue reminds Argentina of one of the greatest days in the country's football history, perhaps that's reason enough to wear it again.