Argentina’s defence of their World Cup crown is still on course despite surviving a monumental upset against Cape Verde in the round of 32.
Lionel Messi and co needed extra time to defeat the third-smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup, as an 111th-minute own goal sent the Albiceleste through to the round of 16, where they face Egypt.
After coming through a group consisting of Austria, Algeria and Jordan unscathed, Argentina looked to be a solid bet to reach at least the semi-final again, but the task of taking on Egypt now has more intrigue around it than it previously did.
Argentina will be leaning on the support of their wives and girlfriends to return to form and leave behind memories of that near-humiliation against Cape Verde. And here are some of those stunning fans who will be cheering them on.
Lisandro Martinez – Muri Lopez Benitez
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Martinez’s partner is Argentine dancer and model Muri Lopez Benitez, with the couple childhood sweethearts who met at 14.
Muri went viral in 2024 when her carnival outfit caught the eye, or more to the point, her lack of carnival outfit with her barely clothed and leaving nothing to the imagination.
Alexis Mac Allister – Ailen Cova
Ailen Cova and Mac Allister grew up together in Argentina. However, their relationship became romantic after Mac Allister’s public and messy split with Camila Mayan in 2022.
Mac Allister publicly credited her with giving him stability and happiness. Since then, the couple have built a quiet, devoted life together in Liverpool.
Enzo Fernandez – Valentina Cervantes
Valentina Cervantes, the partner of the Chelsea midfielder, is well-known to football fans following a love triangle that involved Mauro Icardi’s ex-super WAG Wanda Nara.
Wanda is said to have slid into Fernandez’s DMs, with the £120m-valued star showing the message to his wife, rather than replying to her, something that is said to have angered Wanda. Valentina was subsequently forced to furiously deny the two were talking behind her back.
Fernandez and Valentina are childhood sweethearts and have an eight-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. Their relationship hit earlier troubles after they split in October 2024 before reconciling earlier last year.
Rodrigo De Paul – Tini Stoessel
One of the most influential yet underappreciated players in the Argentina squad, but the same can’t be said of his fiancee.
Tini Stoessel isn’t just a pop star, she’s one of Latin America’s most powerful music icons, with nearly two decades in the limelight.
Her relationship with De Paul has been all over the front pages since day one. Following a brief split, the couple rekindled their romance and are now engaged, with a wedding planned for later this year.
Lautaro Martinez – Agustina Gandolfo
Not just a WAG, Martinez’s wife Agustina Gandolfo has built a name for herself after launching a food, wellness, and lifestyle business, earning her a following of 1.6million on Instagram.
The two met when he was still playing for Racing Club in Argentina. Since then, she’s been by his side through his rise to becoming one of Europe’s elite strikers at Inter Milan and a World Cup winner.
Nicolas Otamendi – Michele Otamendi
Otamendi is one of the old guard of the Argentina squad at 38, having been supported by his wife Michele.
Michele went viral in 2019 when a picture of the couple posted by Otamendi made it look as though she had six toes. However, despite the fun, the rumour that she has an extra digit on her feet is entirely a visual illusion.
Lionel Messi – Antonela Roccuzzo
Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela has amassed close to 40 million followers on Instagram and is the most recognisable face among the WAGs in North America.
Messi and Antonela are childhood sweethearts from Rosario. They married in 2017 and have three children: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Julian Alvarez – Maria Emilia Ferrero
Maria Emilia Ferrero and Julian Alvarez both grew up in Cordoba but they only got together in 2020 when Alvarez’s career was taking off.
She initially followed him to Manchester when he joined City, working as a PE teacher while he was winning trophies. In early 2026, they welcomed their son Amadeo after moving to Spain when Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid in 2024. But they could be set to move again with the striker attempting to force a move to Barcelona.