In brief
Rosalía reposted a video by Mia Khalifa on 20 July, one day after Spain's World Cup final win, with the caption 'How life sounds now that the perlas have been defeated'.
Argentine fans called for a boycott of Rosalía's four Buenos Aires concerts on 1, 2, 4 and 6 August, with some attempting to return or transfer tickets.
A symphonic tribute scheduled for 23 July at the Museo Metropolitano de Arte Urbano in Córdoba was cancelled after the museum received thousands of angry messages.
Rosalía apologised on Instagram on 22 July, saying she shared the clip because her song was playing and she did not read the text, adding 'I only have love for Argentina'.
María Becerra, who sang Argentina's anthem at the final, waved an Argentine flag during her Barcelona concert on 22 July, drawing ovations.
- 22 JulRosalía issues an apology on Instagram Stories.
- 23 JulA symphonic tribute to Rosalía in Córdoba is cancelled following backlash.
- 1 AugFirst of four scheduled Lux Tour concerts at Movistar Arena, Buenos Aires.
The repost that ignited the backlash
On 20 July, a day after Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Rosalía reposted a TikTok clip by Lebanese-American influencer Mia Khalifa. In the video, Khalifa lip-synced to Rosalía's song "La Perla" and added the caption: "How life sounds now that the perlas have been defeated." The term "perla" can carry a derogatory meaning in Spanish, and the song's lyrics describe a toxic, untrustworthy person. Many Argentine fans interpreted the post as a direct mockery of their national team's loss.
“How life sounds now that the perlas have been defeated.”
The repost was later deleted, but not before it spread widely. Rosalía had also shared a separate video of herself wrapped in a Spanish flag, which further inflamed sentiment.
Boycott calls and ticket turmoil
Argentine fans quickly organised a boycott of Rosalía's four upcoming Lux Tour concerts at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires, scheduled for 1, 2, 4 and 6 August. Many demanded refunds, but the venue stated that the 10-day legal return window had already passed. As a result, fans began transferring tickets to third parties through the official sales app, aiming to leave the arena empty. Social media comments ranged from vows to skip the shows to declarations that "Argentina neither forgets nor forgives."
“The apology came 24 hours late. I don't think it's valid.”
Tribute cancelled in Córdoba
A separate event, a symphonic tribute to Rosalía at the Museo Metropolitano de Arte Urbano in Córdoba, was cancelled on 23 July. The museum said the decision was taken for "reasons beyond the organisation's control" and to protect the artists. The production company Impacto Producciones later revealed it had received a flood of hateful messages. It stressed that the project had been in preparation for over four months and involved musicians, singers, technicians and designers with no connection to Rosalía's social media activity.
Rosalía's apology
On 22 July, Rosalía addressed the controversy in two Instagram Stories. The first showed an Argentine flag and the message: "Le di a compartir porque sonaba 'La Perla' y ni leí lo que ponía, mala mía. Perdón." The second read: "Solo tengo amor x Argentina." Some fans accepted the apology, calling her a "great human being," while others remained unconvinced.
“Le di a compartir porque sonaba 'La Perla' y ni leí lo que ponía, mala mía. Perdón.”
María Becerra's defiant flag
Amid the tension, Argentine singer María Becerra, who had performed the national anthem at the World Cup final, took the stage at the BARTS Festival in Barcelona on 22 July. During her set at the Plaza Mayor del Poble Espanyol, she unfurled an Argentine flag, drawing loud applause and cheers. Becerra had earlier posted on social media: "There is no greater pride than being Argentine. A country that has opened its doors to the whole world. Full of love, empathy and respect."
Wider celebrity reactions
The fallout extended beyond Rosalía. Several international figures, including former One Direction member Niall Horan, singer Patti Smith and actor Samuel L. Jackson, also shared or liked content critical of Argentina's conduct during the final. The wave of online commentary has kept social media in Argentina alight with debate, even as the country processes the disappointment of missing out on a second consecutive World Cup title.