Argentina ace’s bikini-loving WAG confronted petition to be dumped after World Cup celebration
One of Argentina’s top World Cup stars faced huge external pressure to break up with his gorgeous girlfriend after her behaviour drew criticism
Julian Alvarez of Argentina with his girlfriend Emilia Ferrero after winning the World Cup(Image: Getty )
One Argentina star’s stunning partner faced a petition calling for her World Cup winning boyfriend to dump her.
Julian Alvarez helped his nation break English hearts on Wednesday night, playing the entirety of Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 win in the World Cup semi-finals. But there was a point when the Atletico Madrid striker was instead being urged to break his own girlfriend’s heart by Argentina supporters.
Alvarez announced himself on the world stage at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, where he netted four goals on the way to ending Argentina’s 36-year drought for a third title. His long-time girlfriend, Maria Emilia Ferrero, better known by her middle name, Emilia, had been cheering on Alvarez in Qatar and had attracted a large social media following with her posts during the World Cup, including the on-pitch celebrations after the trophy lift.
Maria Emilia is a PE teacher and certainly keeps fit(Image: instagram.com/emiliafferrero/)
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
The couple have known each other since they were teenagers in Cordoba, but only went public with their relationship in 2022, after the forward’s move to Manchester City from River Plate, when she also relocated to Manchester with him.
Following the World Cup success, the pair returned to their hometown, where fans were understandably ecstatic to meet their local hero. Alvarez had just finished having dinner at Ferrero’s family home in Cordoba when a group of young fans turned up outside and rushed towards her boyfriend as they left the premises.
Ferrero was visibly irritated and appeared to deny them a chance to take pictures with Alvarez in a viral clip posted on social media. However, her reaction enraged many of Alvarez’s fans online, with one fan going a step further by launching a petition on Change.org calling on the footballer to break up with her.
Emilia loves to pose in bikinis(Image: Maria Emilia)
Emilia has been cheering on her partner at the World Cup(Image: Maria Emilia Ferrero)
It quickly gained traction with 20,000 petitions, and former hockey player Ferrero responded to the backlash by releasing a statement on social media. The 26-year-old sought to clarify her controversial behaviour, saying several of the fans in question were her school students and that she was simply trying to get them to all take a group photo with Alvarez, rather than lots of individual selfies.
Needless to say, the then-City star paid no attention to the petition. Instead, their relationship has grown stronger, with Ferrero following her beau to Spain following his £81million move to Atletico Madrid in 2024.
She has gained an even larger social media following since, currently boasting 791,000 followers on Instagram. The majority of her posts revolve around her motherhood, attending Alvarez’s matches, gym selfies and stunning bikini snaps.
The couple could be set for a return to England(Image: Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez’s partner Maria Emilia Ferrero(Image: Instagram/emiliafferrero)
Earlier this year, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Amadeo, who was born on January 2. Ferrero and baby Amadeo travelled to North America to support Alvarez this summer.
Emilia wrote in one recent social media post: “Nuestro primer mundial juntos,” which translates to “Our first World Cup together,” before saying she was proud of the striker on Wednesday.
The family of three are expected to move again this summer amid speculation linking Alvarez to a transfer to either Barcelona or Arsenal. Alvarez, whose only goal of the World Cup so far came against Switzerland, revealed that he told Atletico he wants to leave the club earlier in the tournament.
England’s 2026 World Cup kits
England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code DEAL.
