As the eyes of millions of fans prepare for the 2026 World Cup, every move made by the world's biggest soccer stars attracts equal attention from their partners.
Popularly referred to as WAGs (women and girls), many of them are now successful entrepreneurs, influencers, singers or public figures who have built their own careers, and their support from the stands and social media is an indispensable part of the football spectacle.
Gallery
Georgina Rodríguez and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only two players in the world
Cristiano Ronaldo's fiancée, Georgina Rodríguez, is probably the most famous WAG in the world. Their story began in 2016 while working at Gucci's store in Madrid. Today, Georgina is a globally influential entrepreneur, model, and star of her own Netflix reality show "I am Georgina".
Antonela Roccuzzo and Lionel Messi
The love story of Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo began in childhood in Rosario, Argentina.[1] The couple married in 2017 and have three sons.[2] Antonela is today a successful influencer and ambassador of numerous fashion and humanitarian projects, and is considered one of the most followed women in Latin America.[3]
It's the first time I've ever been in a movie.
Although she avoids media attention, Vanja Modrić is known as the biggest support and most important person in the life of Croatian national team captain Luka Modrić.
Vanja has been with Luke throughout his career, from Dinamo and Tottenham to Real Madrid. The couple have three children and are known for keeping their private lives out of the public eye.
The text continues below the ad.
This is the first time I've been to a film festival.
Unlike many football partners, Norwegian Isabel Haugseng Johansen does not build a career on social media. She and Erling Haaland have known each other since childhood, when they trained together in the youth facility of Bryne.
Michele Lacroix and Kevin De Bruyne, who are the two main characters in the film.
The wife of Belgian fencer Kevin De Bruyne, Michele Lacroix, is very active on social media and regularly follows her husband at major competitions.
Eric Choperin and Antoine Griezmann
Erika Choperen is the wife of Antoine Griezmann, a child psychologist, and has been married to him since 2017.
♪ I've got a feeling ♪ ♪ I've got a feeling ♪ ♪ I've got a feeling ♪
Dutch national team captain Virgil van Dijk and his wife Rike Nooitgedagt have been in a relationship since their teenage days. Rike once worked in the fashion industry, but decided to quit her job to follow her husband in his career. Today, she is known as one of the most discreet partners of footballers and rarely appears in public.
Katie Goodland and Harry Kane
The text continues below the ad.
England captain Harry Kane has been married to his high school sweetheart, Katie Goodland, for more than 20 years, and they are often cited by the British media as one of the most enduring couples in sports.
I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do it.
The partner of Argentine footballer Paul Dybala, Oriana Sabatini, is a big star herself, a successful singer, actress and model, and has been popular in Latin America for years, often attracting the same media attention as her partner because of her own career.
♪ I'm the one who's got it all ♪
One of the most famous Latin American singers, Tini Stoessel, has been in a relationship in recent years with Argentine national team player Rodrigo De Paul. Tini has millions of fans around the world and is one of the few footballers' partners who is globally known outside of the sport.
Mina Bonino and Federico Valverde
The Uruguayan international Federico Valverde has been in a long-term relationship with Argentine sports journalist Mina Bonino, and their relationship is often under the media spotlight, as Mina was a well-known television personality before she met the Real Madrid star.
Gone are the days when the partners of footballers were known exclusively for their relationships, but today they include successful entrepreneurs, psychologists, journalists, singers and influencers who alone attract audiences of millions.
And while the eyes of the world this summer will be on stars like Mbappe, Messi, Ronaldo, Modric and Haaland, no less attention will be focused on the women cheering them on from the stands of the world's greatest football stadium.
Do you know more about the subject or would you like to report a mistake in the text?
This is it.
The homepage of the nation.
If you have an important story, contact us at desk@index.hr or click here.
You want to work on the Index?
Read the full article at Index.hr →6 reports
Jutarnji listIndependentCenter2 days agoLuka Modrić has reached his 199th appearance for Croatia's national team and is approaching the milestone of 200 caps, placing him among an elite group of players. The article highlights his achievements, including becoming the seventh oldest player to appear at a World Cup at age 40 years, 9 months, and 8 days. It also notes his position in the all-time World Cup appearances ranking and compares him with other notable players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Roger Milla. However, Modrić's performance in the recent match against England was subpar, with Croatia suffering a significant
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports achievements and does not present any political content or biased framing.
Večernji listIndependentCenter2 days agoIn an HRT broadcast, commentator Vedran Ješe emphasized the importance of Croatia's captain Luka Modrić despite his missed penalty against England, which affected his performance. Ješe expressed confidence that Modrić remains crucial for Croatia's team. Other commentators also discussed expectations for Croatia's upcoming match against Panama, suggesting a return to a more familiar playing style.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced summary of commentary from HRT analysts regarding Luka Modrić's role in the national team and tactical discussions ahead of the Panama match. There is no evident ideological framing, loaded language, or one-sided emphasis. The content focuses on sports analysis rather
Novi listIndependentCenter6 days agoThe article discusses the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, which is expected to be the last major tournament for three football legends: Lionel Messi (38), Cristiano Ronaldo (41), and Croatia captain Luka Modrić (40). The piece highlights their career achievements, including their number of World Cup appearances and club trophies. It notes that this will be Messi's sixth World Cup, Ronaldo's sixth as well, and Modrić's fifth. The article also mentions their individual records and accomplishments in both club and international football.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports achievements and does not take a political stance or show bias toward any political ideology. It presents factual information about the players' careers without editorializing or favoring one side over another.
Net.hrIndependentCenter6 days agoThe article discusses the potential end of an era for three football legends—Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modrić—as they prepare for what could be their last World Cup. It highlights their career achievements, including the number of World Cup appearances, club trophies, and international honors.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the careers of three prominent football players without taking a political stance or showing bias toward any particular ideology. The content focuses purely on sports statistics and achievements, with no mention of political issues, policies, or figures
Index.hrIndependentCenter11 days agoThe article discusses the wives and girlfriends of football stars who will be at the World Cup 2026, highlighting their personal stories and careers. It features Georgina Rodríguez, wife of Cristiano Ronaldo, Antonela Roccuzzo, wife of Lionel Messi, and Vanja Modrić, wife of Luka Modrić. The text provides brief biographical information about each woman, focusing on their professional achievements and public roles.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on the personal lives and careers of high-profile athletes' partners without taking a political stance or showing bias toward any particular ideology. It presents factual information about these individuals and their roles, with no evident slant in language or emphasis.
tportalIndependentCenter12 days agoThe article discusses the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, highlighting it as a final opportunity for several football legends to showcase their skills on the world stage. It focuses on players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Manuel Neuer, and Edin Džeko, noting their ages and career milestones. The piece emphasizes the significance of this tournament for these veteran athletes, many of whom are approaching the end of their careers.
Bias read (Center): The article is purely sports-focused and does not take a political stance or show any ideological framing. It objectively reports on the participation of notable football players in an international sporting event without involving political commentary or biased language.
Croatia