Meaning and evolution of WAGs in football: understand the acronym that became popular during the World Cup and its impact
The acronym WAGs, used to designate athletes’ companions, resumed prominence in the coverage of the 2026 World Cup. Names such as Bruna Biancardi, Georgina Rodríguez, Antonela Roccuzzo and Virginia Fonseca are frequently associated with this expression in the world of football.
Understand the meaning behind the acronym WAGs
To understand the term, it is essential to unfold its origin. WAGs is an acronym in English for “wives and girlfriends”, translated as “wives and girlfriends”, used to categorize the partners of renowned sportspeople, especially in football.
The origin of the expression and its first repercussion in the media
The expression has its roots in the early 2000s, when the British media intensified coverage of the private lives of England football team players. One of the most iconic figures who boosted the term’s popularity at the time was Victoria Beckham, then wife of former footballer David Beckham.
With the increase in notoriety, wide-ranging publications and magazines began to dedicate entire sections to accompany these women. The focus was on the routine, social events and the daily lives of the athletes’ partners.
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However, this name did not have a positive start. Initially, the term carried a pejorative connotation, tending to diminish women’s individuality and their own careers, reducing them merely to the status of partners of famous sportsmen. This initial aspect, little explored in other coverage, reveals how female representation in sport has evolved from an exclusive focus on relationships to a broader recognition of their autonomy.
Over time, the perception of the term WAGs has transformed significantly. Currently, media and publications use it to identify women who are part of the sports scene, but with an approach that values their personal trajectories, whether as digital influencers, businesswomen, artists or other professionals.
The most followed personalities on social media in the WAGs universe
A list of the most followed on Instagram illustrates the popularity of these public figures:
- Kim Kardashian, girlfriend of Lewis Hamilton, with 344 million followers.
- Georgina Rodríguez, fiancee of Cristiano Ronaldo, with 72.7 million followers.
- Antonela Roccuzzo, wife of Lionel Messi, has 39.3 million followers.
- Tini Stoessel, Rodrigo de Paul’s fiancee, has 21.5 million followers.
- Perrie Edwards, wife of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, has 18.1 million followers.
- Bruna Biancardi, wife of Neymar Júnior, has 15.2 million followers.
- Hamisa Mobetto, wife of Stephane Aziz Ki, has 12.2 million followers.
- Pilar Rubio, wife of Sergio Ramos, has 10.6 million followers.
- Oriana Sabatini, wife of Paulo Dybala, has 6.8 million followers.
- Anna Lewandowska, wife of Robert Lewandowski, has 5.7 million followers.
