The 2026 FIFA World Cup wasn't just a defining tournament for Lamine Yamal on the pitch. It also introduced football fans to one of the competition's most talked-about couples.
Throughout Spain's victorious campaign, influencer Inés García was a constant presence in the stands, supporting the Barcelona star during every match. After Spain lifted the World Cup trophy, the pair celebrated together on the pitch.
© FIFA via Getty ImagesBut within days, the romance that had captured fans' attention became the subject of intense online speculation.
Why fans thought Lamine Yamal and Inés García had split
Rumors of trouble began circulating after photos and videos from Spain's World Cup celebrations were widely shared online. Social media users claimed the couple appeared distant during certain moments, prompting speculation that their relationship had already hit a rough patch.
© Getty ImagesThe rumors gained momentum when Yamal later traveled to Ibiza with friends without Inés, despite the couple having spent nearly the entire World Cup together. That brief separation was enough for online theories to spiral, with many questioning whether the relationship had ended.
As often happens with high-profile couples, social media filled the information vacuum with speculation rather than facts.
Lamine Yamal's social media posts tell a different story
Rather than publicly addressing the rumors, Yamal appeared to respond in a much simpler way.
The Spanish star began sharing several photos featuring Inés García on social media, including affectionate snapshots from a romantic getaway in France. The posts quickly caught fans' attention and were widely interpreted as a clear message that their relationship remained intact.
© FIFA via Getty ImagesInés had already demonstrated her support throughout the World Cup, attending every one of Yamal's matches and congratulating him on Instagram after Spain secured its place in the final. In the video, Yamal surprised Inés with a large bouquet of red roses before embracing her and sharing a kiss. Before traveling to France and Saint-Tropez, the couple had also spent time together in Madrid, sharing highlights from their getaway on social media.
The controversy surrounding Inés García
While Yamal enjoyed a historic World Cup, Inés found herself dealing with a wave of criticism online. Since confirming their relationship, the influencer has faced repeated accusations claiming she left a previous boyfriend, Gonzalo Torres, to begin dating the Barcelona winger.
According to the rumors, she abruptly ended that relationship once Yamal entered her life. However, Inés has consistently denied the allegations, insisting Gonzalo was never her boyfriend and has always been nothing more than a close friend, as reported by The Times of India. "I never imagined that sharing something so simple would turn into this," Garcia said. "I've spent hours reading the comments, and while I try to put on a brave face, I'm human too. Behind this account is someone who feels, cries, and makes mistakes—and being in a relationship doesn't make me any less human.”
© IG: @ineesgaarciaThe rumors became so widespread that Gonzalo Torres eventually addressed them himself during a Twitch livestream. According to reports cited by Divinity, he explained that he had known Inés for around two years and described her simply as a friend.
Spanish journalist Javi Hoyos also dismissed the allegations, stating the story originated from a fake social media account before being repeated across multiple platforms. According to Hoyos, people close to both Inés and Gonzalo had already debunked the claims.
Despite those clarifications, online criticism has continued to follow García throughout the World Cup and beyond.
Love continues despite online criticism
Being one of football's newest celebrity couples has brought enormous public attention, especially following Spain's World Cup victory.
© FIFA via Getty ImagesFor Inés García, that attention has often come with unfair scrutiny and rumors about her personal life. Meanwhile, Yamal has largely avoided engaging directly with the speculation, instead choosing to continue sharing moments from their relationship.
