Ester Expósito Silent After Mbappé's Loss; Spain Faces Argentina in Final

Spain defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinals on July 15, 2026, advancing to the final against Argentina. But beyond the pitch, the spotlight has turned to two women: Spanish actress Ester Expósito and Antonela Roccuzzo, wife of Lionel Messi.

Off-Pitch Rivalry

As Spain and Argentina prepare to clash for the title, articles have framed a parallel duel between Expósito and Roccuzzo. Expósito, with 24.3 million Instagram followers, is described as "la reina indiscutible del streaming global" and a key figure in Spain's modern image Source: excelsiormx. Roccuzzo, with 41.2 million followers, is portrayed as the "escudo protector" behind Messi Source: excelsiormx. The rivalry is fueled by fan banter and media speculation.

Expósito's Silence After Spain's Win

A viral joke among Spanish fans before the semifinal was a request for Expósito to keep Mbappé "bien entretenido" the night before the match Source: elmundoes. After Spain's victory, Expósito reappeared but remained conspicuously silent about her alleged partner's defeat. She was seen pretending to be on the phone to avoid reporters' questions Source: elmundoes. Her silence has only intensified the narrative that she may have been a factor in Mbappé's underwhelming performance.

Now all eyes turn to Sunday's final in New York, where Spain and Argentina will decide the champion—while off the pitch, the duel between Expósito and Roccuzzo continues.