When you’re as good as Lionel Messi, you don’t often need luck.

But, with Argentina’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread after a lacklustre start to the tournament and Messi’s lifetime dream seemingly in tatters, even the greatest need some assistance.

Step forward, Argentine reporter Rama Pantorotto.

Following La Albiceleste’s opening 1-1 draw with Iceland, the journalist gave Messi, in the interview area, a lucky amulet – a small object worn by a person which is said to gift them magical powers, protect them and ward away bad luck.

Without Pantorotto knowing, Messi attached the gift, belonging to the journalist’s wife, around his left ankle during the crushing defeat to Croatia and kept it on for Tuesday night’s last-gasp victory over Nigeria.

It was only after Messi’s goalscoring display, which helped Argentina through to the World Cup second round, that the Barcelona icon revealed he was still wearing the amulet and had not let it out of his sight since the tournament opener.

Stopping in the mixed zone after the match in Saint Petersburg this week, Pantorotto spoke with Messi, in which the 31-year-old showed the reporter he had been wearing it – much to his astonishment.

Watch their exchange below: