The conclusion of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina has triggered a wave of controversy that has extended far beyond the football pitch, affecting high-profile musicians. Both Rosalía and Patti Smith have faced significant backlash and felt compelled to issue apologies after their social media activity was perceived by some Argentine fans as disparaging toward their national team. The tension surfaced shortly after the match, a period already marked by heated social media exchanges, harassment campaigns against public figures, and intense debates regarding the conduct of certain Argentine players and supporters. In this highly charged environment, the posts made by the two artists took on a political and emotional weight that might have otherwise gone unnoticed, as screenshots and videos circulated far beyond their usual fanbases.
Rosalía ignited the situation when she shared a TikTok video originally posted by influencer Mia Khalifa, which celebrated Spain's victory. The clip featured the song "La Perla" from her album "LUX" and included the caption, "How life sounds now that the pearls have been defeated." Many Argentine users interpreted "the pearls" as a direct reference to the Albiceleste national team, leading to widespread accusations of mockery. Although the singer deleted the post, the reaction was swift. Calls for boycotts against her four upcoming concerts in Buenos Aires began to circulate, with some fans encouraging others to sell their tickets or return them, while others called for seats to be left empty as a form of protest.
The impact of this controversy reached beyond social media and into the physical realm. In Córdoba, an independent production company was forced to cancel a symphonic tribute concert dedicated to the singer's work. Organizers stated that the event, which had been in development for months, was cancelled due to "numerous messages of hate and anger." While they acknowledged that football is a central part of Argentina's identity and history, they expressed regret that the prevailing tension necessitated the cancellation to ensure the safety of the participating musicians. As of now, Rosalía's four official concerts in Buenos Aires are still scheduled as announced by the promoter.
American singer and poet Patti Smith also found herself at the center of the dispute after posting a message celebrating Spain's victory and referring to them as "the good guys." This phrasing was widely seen by Argentine followers as implying that the opposing team was on the wrong side. The criticism mounted rapidly within a few hours, prompting Smith to delete the post. She subsequently shared an image of Lionel Messi and posted a new message clarifying that she never intended to belittle the Argentine team or its people. Smith emphasized her long-standing ties to the country, expressed her admiration for Messi, and stated that she deeply regretted that her words had been interpreted as a lack of respect towards the Argentine people.
These incidents form part of a wider phenomenon that has shaped the post-World Cup conversation. Argentina's defeat generated huge activity on social media, where celebrations, mockery, nationalist messages, and boycott campaigns against various public figures who openly backed Spain all became intertwined in a climate of intense emotional significance.
