Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko disclosed that she lost ₦5 million after making her first-ever football wager on the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Shortly after the match concluded on Saturday night, the actress expressed her dissatisfaction on Instagram, characterising the experience as both emotionally and financially taxing.
Etiko expressed apologies, saying she was overwhelmed by the stress of watching the game with so much money on the line.
She joked that she was done watching football completely and vowed never to try betting again, accompanied by heartbroken and tearful emoticons.
“First time betting and I lost. Will never try it again. My ₦5 million is gone. In fact, I’m done watching football. Anxiety almost killed me,” she wrote.
Her post quickly attracted reactions from fans and followers, with many sympathising with her loss, while others teased her over the unsuccessful prediction.
Some urged her to stay away from betting, while others defended Spain’s victory in the final.
ALSO READ: World Cup: Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí Break Into Top 10 Youngest Winners.
The World Cup showdown between Spain and Argentina drew global attention and sparked heavy betting activity among football fans, including first-time participants such as the actress.
Barcelona youngsters Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí have written their names into football history after becoming two of the 10 youngest players ever to win the FIFA World Cup, following Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final.
The Spanish duo joined an elite list of teenage World Cup winners after Spain ended a 16-year wait for football’s biggest prize. Following the triumph, Lamine Yamal became the sixth-youngest World Cup winner, while his Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsí also secured his place among the youngest champions in the competition’s history.
Cubarsí, who was named the Young Player of the Tournament, delivered a remarkable campaign. The teenage defender played every single minute of Spain’s eight matches, including the full 120 minutes in the final against Argentina.
