“He did his country a disservice” - MLS icon Alexi Lalas shares opinion on Drake betting $300,000 on Lionel Messi and Argentina losing to Canada
Former United States defender Alexi Lalas has reacted to Drake's bet on Canada to upset Lionel Messi and Argentina in the semifinal of Copa America 2024. The Canadian hip-hop star placed a bet of $300,000 on his home country to defeat Argentina on Tuesday, July 9, but saw his bet register as a loss after La Albiceleste beat Canada 2-0 to progress to the finals.
Goals from Julian Alvarez (22') and Lionel Messi (51') secured a second consecutive Copa America final appearance for Lionel Scaloni's side. Both nations had earlier met in the group stage, with Argentina winning by the same scoreline.
Drake has been in the spotlight for placing large bets on major sports games in recent years. However, the rapper consistently ends up on the losing side, as most of the teams he wagers on fail to deliver.
While speaking on his podcast, State of the Union, Alexi Lalas commented that Drake did his home nation a disservice by placing a bet on Canada to upset Argentina. He opined that based on Drake's betting history, the rapper ought to have wagered on an Argentina victory for a reverse jinx. He said:
“One thing I know about him is that he likes to place big bets. But then he loses them a lot. He’s Canadian right? I think he did his country a disservice by placing $300,000 bet on Canada [beating Argentina]."
“If he really wanted to do Canada a service, he would’ve placed that bet on Argentina and then it would’ve been the reverse-jinx,” Lalas added.
Lionel Messi closes in on Cristiano Ronaldo on all-time top scorers in men's international football list
Lionel Messi closed the gap between him and Cristiano Ronaldo on the all-time top scorers in men's international football list after helping La Albiceleste secure a place in the Copa America final.
Messi who missed his kick in the quarter-final shootout win against Ecuador registered his first goal of the tournament in the 2-0 victory over Canada. The 37-year-old doubled his side's lead in the 51st minute after Julian Alvarez opened the scoring in the first half.
The goal moved the Inter Miami star above Iran's Ali Daei in the all-time men's international scoring charts with 109 goals after 186 appearances. However, he still needs 21 goals to equal Ronaldo who tops the chart with 130 goals.
Whilst the Portuguese failed to find the back of the net as Portugal crashed out of Euro 2024 in the quarter-final, Lionel Messi will be hoping to win a third consecutive international trophy when Argentina face either Uruguay or Colombia in the Copa America final on Sunday, July 14.