Antonela Roccuzzo leads the WAGs ranking: Messi’s wife has the highest digital engagement in the World Cup group stage By Carolina Costa
2 min read
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A recent analysis identified Antonela Roccuzzo, wife of Argentine player Lionel Messi, as the WAG (English term for wives and girlfriends of athletes) with the greatest engagement on social media during the first phase of the World Cup. Data from a survey by consultancy Arquimeses shows that the influencer surpassed even Georgina Rodríguez, Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner, who has a significantly larger number of followers.
Antonela Roccuzzo’s digital engagement surprises at the World Cup
Antonela Roccuzzo’s performance on digital platforms drew attention, especially because she maintained a more discreet stance. With 40.5 million followers, the influencer accumulated 53.6 thousand mentions on social media during the first games of the tournament, a period in which the teams were still divided into groups. This brand surpasses other prominent figures with an even greater online reach.
Comparison of influence between heavyweight WAGs in football
The research revealed that Georgina Rodríguez, who has 74.3 million followers, was mentioned 38 thousand times in the same period. The difference in engagement is notable, considering that Georgina is more active on social media and even used her platforms to defend her husband from criticism about his age, which, in theory, could drive more interactions. However, the result showed a different dynamic.
Solidarity action boosts the visibility of Messi’s wife
One of the factors that may explain Antonela Roccuzzo’s high engagement was her participation in a solidarity action. She promoted an initiative to help victims of the earthquakes that devastated Venezuela. This mobilization gained great repercussion, especially among fans of Inter Miami CF, the team where Lionel Messi plays.
Discretion and social causes in content strategy
Although Antonela has shared few moments of her routine in the United States, where she follows her husband’s games, most of her publications focused on family records and inside the stadium. Its more reserved approach, combined with engagement in social causes, seems to have generated a more authentic connection and a positive buzz, contrasting with more direct and sometimes reactive communication strategies.
The impact of WAGs on the sports and digital landscape
The growing influence of athletes’ wives and girlfriends, the so-called WAGs, transcends the sports field, transforming them into important figures in marketing and digital communications. The case of Antonela Roccuzzo highlights how organic engagement, often driven by purposeful actions and a consistent public image, can generate significant results, even with smaller numbers of followers compared to other personalities.
