While national teams are battling for the most prestigious trophy on the planet, another race is also taking place off the pitch: the race for influence and earning potential.

The 2026 World Cup once again brought football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to the forefront of the global sports world. However, the opening week of the tournament also revealed another aspect: Georgina Rodriguez is no longer just “Ronaldo’s girlfriend,” but has built her own name and empire.

As Ronaldo prepares for his sixth World Cup with the Portuguese national team, Georgina has also just announced a major step in her personal career.

Georgina makes a splash with a global fashion campaign.

The model, influencer, and media star has become the face of the latest summer swimwear campaign for an Italian fashion brand. This move puts Georgina in front of millions of fashion enthusiasts worldwide at a time when her fiancé is preparing for what may be his last World Cup.

On social media, Georgina announced the collaboration with a short status update. The post included a series of promotional images and videos, in which Georgina wore the brand’s new swimwear designs. These images quickly appeared on billboards and outdoor media in many countries. Calzedonia is a well-known brand specializing in swimwear, tights, stockings, and leggings. Before Georgina, the brand had collaborated with many famous stars such as Hailey Bieber, Heidi Klum, and Kendall Jenner.

Georgina’s image is everywhere ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

From Salesperson to Global Star

Becoming the new face of Calzedonia further solidifies Georgina’s growing standing in the world of fashion and entertainment. Her journey has been closely followed by the public since 2016, when Georgina met Ronaldo while working at a Gucci store in Madrid.

From an ordinary salesperson, Georgina has risen to become one of the most famous women in the world. However, the media suggests that her current success stems not only from her relationship with Ronaldo but also from her well-structured personal image building and collaborations with high-end brands.

Currently, Georgina has over 70 million followers on Instagram. In recent years, she has collaborated with or appeared in advertising campaigns for many major brands such as Moncler, Dior, Alo Yoga, Charlotte Tilbury, and Porsche.

Netflix helps Georgina build her personal brand.

Georgina’s image has also been significantly enhanced thanks to the popular Netflix reality series “I Am Georgina.” The show not only introduces her as Ronaldo’s mother and partner but also showcases the business acumen and luxurious lifestyle of one of the most famous families in the world of sports.

According to Marca, the contract with Calzedonia further expands Georgina’s brand image into an international mass-market fashion campaign. The timing of the announcement is also particularly noteworthy. While Ronaldo is aiming for historical milestones on the pitch, Georgina is also making her own mark professionally.

Ronaldo embarks on a new historical conquest.

At 41, Ronaldo continues to be the captain of the Portuguese national team and one of the greatest icons of modern World Cup history. According to FIFA figures, Ronaldo entered the tournament with 226 caps for the national team and 143 international goals – both records for Portuguese football.

Ronaldo in top form heading to the 2026 World Cup in the US (Photo: FBNV)

The Portuguese national team has arrived in the US to prepare for their opening match. From the moment he set foot in the host country, Ronaldo has attracted significant attention from fans and the media alike. The 2026 World Cup could be CR7’s last chance to conquer the only major title missing from his vast collection: the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Georgina is building a completely different legacy – not through goals or titles, but through fashion, media, and commercial influence. Their careers remain intertwined by fame, global popularity, and media appeal. However, the first week of the 2026 World Cup has shown that Georgina Rodriguez is now fully capable of creating major headlines on her own without being overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo.