The Ghanaian sorcerer Nana Kwaku Bonsam sent a mystic online message to Lionel Messi on the eve of the round of 16 against Egypt, on Tuesday.
Only a few days earlier, this controversial spiritual healer had confidently asserted that Cape Verde would eliminate Lionel Scaloni’s men from the 2026 World Cup. That viral prophecy ultimately collapsed during the round of 16.
The South American giants survived a fiercely contested 120-minute battle, clinching a 3-2 victory over the Blue Sharks after extra time, thereby continuing the defense of their title. They will now face the Pharaohs, who secured their very first ticket to the knockout stages thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout win against Australia.
Sudden mystical pivot
Instead of defending his shattered prediction, the traditional priest completely changed tack. On his official Instagram account, he posted a tribute dedicated to the eight-time Ballon d’Or.
“Me, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, I love you even more, my brother Messi. May the powers of Kofi ‘o’ Kofi be with you.”
The caption accompanying the message blessed the striker rather than cursing him. Simultaneously, he used the viral attention to warn his followers about the proliferation of fake social media accounts attempting to impersonate his spiritual identity.
This isn’t Bonsam’s first appearance at this tournament. He had already made international headlines by claiming to have carried out an occult ritual to neutralize Harry Kane.
After a group-stage match fiercely contested and ending 0-0 between Ghana and England, the sorcerer publicly celebrated the success of his spell. He then boasted of having “freed” the English striker, citing Kane’s goals against Panama as absolute proof of his mystical control.
His festival of rituals even included blasts of white powder as he danced with opposing fans after Ghana’s narrow 1-0 exit against Colombia.
He has a long documented history of mystical attacks against football’s biggest stars on the grandest stages. During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he claimed full responsibility for a mysterious knee injury that had severely hampered Cristiano Ronaldo before a crucial group-stage match against Ghana. He then told international press that this misfortune was purely spiritual and untreatable by medicine, thereby cementing his reputation as the most feared mystic in football.
