Argentina, football heavyweights, may be in danger of an early World Cup exit. But that's not stopping us from spotlighting the partners and football souls supporting and empowering the players to lift the nation's third World Cup trophy.
Here are some of the hottest WAGS (wives and girlfriends) of players in one of the World Cup's biggest teams, consisting of social media influencers, models, and musicians.
Lionel Messi — Antonela Roccuzzo
“My wife knows me by heart,” said Lionel Messi. The two lovebirds were friends when they were just seven.
“I've known Antonella since she was seven. When I came to Barcelona [as a teenager], there was no way to communicate constantly. We spoke once a week, and they were short calls so that it didn't cost a lot of money. But all my life I've had Antonella in my head.”
After her studies in Argentina, Antonella moved in with Leo in Barcelona. With 37 million Instagram followers, she's now an influencer in her own right and is besties with the wives of Cesc Fabregas and Luis Suarez.
The two Argentines tied the knot in their native Rosario the knot in June 2017 after being a couple for nine years. The two now share three children: Thiago (10), Mateo (7), and Ciro (4). The family have joined Messi in Qatar.
Angel Di Maria — Jorgelina Cardoso
The former 2014 Argentine footballer of the year, Angel Di Maria, is showing no signs of slowing down. The Argentine winger scored THAT memorable game-winner in the final of Argentina's Copa America triumph in 2021. He's currently at Juventus after collecting numerous titles with Real Madrid and PSG.
Like Messi, the 34-year-old Di Maria met his wife, Jorgelina Cardoso, at a young age when he debuted for Rosario Central at just 17 years old. But it wasn't until years later, when Di Maria was playing at Benfica in Portugal, did Cardoso email him as a fan.
“We met on the internet because I was a very soccer fan, my team is Rosario Central and I watched all the games, I went to the field, he played there and I wrote to him as a fan,” said Rosario about the beginning of their romance.
Now with two daughters, Mía and Pía, the family is looking to celebrate a World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Lautaro Martinez — Agustina Gandolfo
Inter Milan star and Copa American champion Lautaro Martinez is quickly becoming one of world football's prolific goal-scoring talents. The striker already ranks 8th on the all-time Argentina scoring list with 21 goals in just 41 appearances. He's bagged 82 in 202 appearances for Inter.
The 25-year-old's girlfriend, Agustina Gandolfo, has already surprised her one million-plus Instagram followers with an animal print micro bikini at her hotel in Qatar. The fitness-obsessed influencer also owns a restaurant in Milan where she lives with Lautaro and their 2-year-old daughter.
Lisandro Martinez — Muri Lopez Benitez
24-year-old Lisandro Martinez has enjoyed success in a short time at Manchester United. The £55.3 million transfer from Ajax has been a critical player in the defense. His ability to read the game and make crucial tackles as “The Butcher” has been valuable in getting the team back up the Premier League table.
The 2021 Copa America champion could also play a key role in Argentina's journey throughout the World Cup tournament. Martinez's partner, Muri Lopez, is a budding Instagram influencer of her own with nearly 50k followers. She runs the couple's account for their adorable French bulldog.
The dazzling young beauty met Martinez 14 years ago and appears determined to become the next big thing in the modeling industry.
Rodrigo De Paul — Tini Stoessel
Rodrigo De Paul with Argentina is one of the best midfielders in the world.
The 28-year-old played an essential role in helping Argentina win its fifteen Copa America in 2021. He also developed into a meme for displaying a bodyguard presence around national team legend Lionel Messi.
But his famous Argentina singer/dancer girlfriend, Tini Stoessel, now appears to be getting all the love. The player even tattooed the artist's nickname “TTT” onto his training boots. However, the relationship between the two is in limbo, with Argentina fans even blaming the singer for Argentina's shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the team's World Cup opener.
De Paul has two kids with his ex-wife, influencer, and model Cami Homs.
Nicolas Otamendi — Celeste Rey
Argentine center-back Nicolas Otamendi has appeared 95 times for La Albiceleste across three World Cups, including the 28-man squad for the 2021 Copa America triumph.
The Benfica star began dating his wife, Celeste Rey, when the two were teenagers but became serious during Otamendi's spell at Manchester City in 2015. The two now have three children.
Unlike other wives and girlfriends, Rey is absent from social media and mostly appears in her husband's photos.
Paulo Dybala — Oriana Sabatini
Argentina forward Paulo Dybala is nicknamed La Joya (The Jewel) for a good reason. The striker produces some special goals and recently took his talents from Turin to Rome. He already has five goals and two assists for AS Roma in just eight Serie A games this season.
His Buenos Aires-born girlfriend Oriana Sabatini has been with Dybala since his Juventus arrival in 2015. The 26-year-old brunette beauty is an actress, singer, and model. She has nearly 6 million followers on Instagram and another 2 million on Snapchat.
Leandro Paredes — Cami Galante
Defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes is a pinpoint passer and tackler, having moved to Juventus on loan from PSG in 2022 to better prepare for the World Cup.
The player started his career with Boca Juniors, where he met his wife, Cami Galante, whose brother played with Galante in the U-10s. The couple share two kids, Victoria and Giovanni. Cami also runs an eponymous makeup line.
Emiliano Martinez — Amanda Gama
Argentine shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez has enjoyed a storied career over the last few seasons. After winning the 2019/20 FA Cup at Arsenal, the goalie made a £17m move to Aston Villa to become the club's sure starter. He has since guided Argentina to a Copa America victory.
Martinez's wife, Amanda Gama, has been with the player since his move to Arsenal in 2012. The couple got married in 2017 and now have two kids.
Cristian Romero — Karen Cavaller
Tottenham center-back Cristian Romero has been one of the latest stars to emerge from Argentine football over the last few years. The young center-back has been a mainstay in the Tottenham Hotspur team since joining the club in 2020. He has also been a crucial player for the Argentina national team, helping them to win Copa America in 2021.
Romero's wife, 22-year-old Karen Cavaller, is one of the quieter WAGs — her Instagram account is private, after all. But Romero is not shy of sharing images of the beautiful Argentine on his account.
Nicolas Tagliafico — Carolina Calvagni
30-year-old left-back Nicolas Tagliafico was once compared to Argentina legend Javier Zanetti for his superb fitness and excellent technique. While he may not successfully live up to the name, Tagliafico has proven a dependable player for La Albiceleste and Lyon.
Tagliacifco is married to his fitness-obsessed wife, Carolina Calvagni, who shares informative workout videos on her Instagram account of 352k followers.
Nahuel Molina — Barbara Occhiuzzi
He may not start against Mexico in Argentina's second World Cup match after a disappointing upset against Saudi Arabia. Still, Nahuel Molina is a dependable right-back, as seen on Atletico Madrid. He was also one of the players on that 2021 victorious Copa America team.
The 24-year-old is currently dating fellow Argentine Barbara Occhiuzzi, who's in Qatar supporting (re: distracting) her man.
Julian Alvarez — Maria Emilia Ferrero
The fresh face of the Argentine national team, Julian Alvarez, is already making a name for himself in the Premier League, where he stars for Manchester City. The former River Plate forward dates a 22-year-old Spanish beauty, Maria Emilia Ferrero.
She is a professional field hockey player, as demonstrated on her Instagram account.
Enzo Fernandez — Valentina Cervantes
22-year-old Valentina Cervantes is Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez's gorgeous girlfriend and former teenage sweetheart.
The two met in 2018 during Fernandez's emerging career at River Plate. The Instagram influencer can now call West London her home.
