In 2006, British press began using the term “WAGs,” which stands for “Wives and Girlfriends.” This acronym was crafted to refer to the partners of athletes, particularly footballers, implying that these women lacked their own identities and careers. Back then, it was commonly associated with notable figures like Cheryl Cole, Coleen Rooney, and Victoria Beckham—remember, she was already a global star from the Spice Girls and was about to debut as a designer.
After the Euro Cup and with the presence of players’ partners in the stands, this English term seems to regain traction, despite its controversial connotations. However, the women standing alongside athletes—rather than behind them—are challenging this stereotype by showcasing their own successes in various professional fields. As entrepreneurs and influencers, their ventures in social media, fashion, and cosmetics have not gone unnoticed.
Alice Campello crossed paths with Spanish footballer Álvaro Morata in 2016, and they tied the knot a year later. Together they have built a strong family with four children. Alice pursued marketing studies in Italy and now has an impressive social media presence, boasting over 3.5 million followers. In 2021, she founded Akala Studio, a prêt-à-porter brand that has gained popularity among influencers like Belén Hostalet and Violeta. She is also the CEO of Masqmai, a clean beauty and cruelty-free cosmetics line that uses natural ingredients and has been available at Sephora for two years.
Another compelling figure is Mishel Gerzig, a 27-year-old Israeli model. Mishel started modeling at the age of 13 and met Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois through social media. Their online interactions led to a face-to-face meeting in 2021, and two years later, they married. In April 2024, they welcomed their daughter, Ellie, marking the third child for Courtois, who has two from a previous relationship. Mishel has over 700,000 followers on social media, blending her influencer activities with fashion events like Paris Fashion Week and co-owning a luxury experience company called Be The One with her husband.
Patricia Noarbe, known as Paddy, is an entrepreneur and health coach engaged to footballer Marcos Llorente since 2021. Their relationship dates back over a decade to their high school days. With a background in law, she shares insights into her life with more than 270,000 followers, focusing on both physical and mental health. She also runs her sportswear brand, Boddy, which offers training and personalized meal plans, and is the author of “Aún no sabes lo que vales,” a self-help book aimed at overcoming insecurities.
Claudia Rodríguez has been in a relationship with footballer Marc Cucurella for over six years, and the couple has three children. A communicator by trade, she is gaining popularity on social media and is nearing 100,000 followers while sharing her travels and family moments.
Architect Sandra Garal spoke recently about her marriage separation from footballer Marco Asensio, with whom she had been celebrating anniversaries for over four years. Despite this personal turmoil, Sandra is thriving professionally, managing her own architecture and design studio while amassing over 300,000 followers on social media. She is also preparing to launch her own cosmetics line, Sainte Beauty, set to debut in November 2024.
Melanie Cañizares and footballer Joselu Mato married in 2016 and share two children. Originally tied to the fashion industry, she has gained a following of over 65,000 on social media, where she shares snippets of her new life in Qatar following her husband’s transfer to Al-Gharafa SC.
Daphne Cañizares, Melanie’s twin sister, is also married to a footballer—Dani Carvajal, with whom she has two children. With a background as a flight attendant, she has become an influencer with more than 270,000 followers and has launched her own wedding and event planning company, Blue Weddings.
As these women continue to carve their paths and make names for themselves, they challenge the traditional narrative surrounding the partners of athletes, proving that they are more than just “WAGs.”
Image and News Source: https://es-us.vida-estilo.yahoo.com/wags-dejaron-serlo-brillar-influencers-172318359.html
