Every Time a Pope Dies, an English Club Wins the Champions League? A 50-Year Football Mystery
Football is full of myths, coincidences, and strange statistics — but few are as eerie and fascinating as this: for nearly 50 years, every death of a Pope has been followed by a victory for an English club in the UEFA Champions League. Is it divine coincidence, statistical fluke, or just another internet conspiracy? Let’s take a closer look at this bizarre pattern that has quietly persisted through football and Vatican history alike.
The Pattern Emerges: 1978
The year 1978 was extraordinary for both the Catholic Church and English football. Two Popes died within just two months:
- Pope Paul VI (died August 6, 1978)
- Pope John Paul I (died September 28, 1978)
That same season, Liverpool won the 1978 European Cup (now UEFA Champions League), defeating Club Brugge 1-0 in the final at Wembley. While the timeline is slightly off in terms of exact dates, the association between papal deaths and English football success had quietly begun.
The Istanbul Miracle: 2005
Fast-forward to April 2, 2005, when Pope John Paul II passed away after more than 26 years as Pontiff.
Just weeks later, Liverpool pulled off one of the most incredible comebacks in football history. Down 3-0 at halftime against AC Milan in the Champions League Final, the Reds clawed their way back to 3-3 and won on penalties. It’s one of the most iconic finals ever — and another English victory following a Pope’s death.
The City Ascends: 2023
Though Pope Benedict XVI officially resigned in 2013 (a rare event in itself), he passed away on December 31, 2022.
Six months later, Manchester City lifted their first-ever Champions League trophy in June 2023, beating Inter Milan 1-0. It was the culmination of Pep Guardiola’s years of work and a new era for English dominance on the European stage.
The Present Moment: 2025
On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis died, ending a 12-year papacy. The football world now turns its eyes to the Champions League Final on May 31, 2025, in Munich.
Will this mysterious pattern continue? Could another English team lift the trophy once again?
Contenders like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool remain strong — and the football world is watching.
The Verdict
Five decades, four papal deaths, and every single time, an English club has followed with Champions League glory. It's easy to dismiss it as coincidence — and perhaps it is. But in a sport filled with superstition and symbolism, patterns like these take on a life of their own.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, this football-mystical connection is one of the most bizarre statistical quirks in modern football history.
One thing is certain: all eyes will be on Munich this May, to see if the pattern holds once more.
Published by Patrick Jane
29.04.2025