From heartbreak to hero: Ferran Torres ends relationship hours before World Cup quarter-final, then scores final winner

Spain’s World Cup hero Ferran Torres entered the history books in extraordinary fashion — scoring the winning goal in the final against Argentina just days after ending his relationship on the eve of the quarter-finals.

The 26-year-old Barcelona forward and influencer Martina Hunter Alguero, a model and fashion content creator with nearly 60,000 Instagram followers, went their separate ways on July 9, according to prominent Spanish TV journalist Javi de Hoyos. The clearest sign came when they simultaneously unfollowed each other on Instagram.

Although the couple never formalised their relationship, they had been spotted together in Ibiza recently. De Hoyos, who had earlier broken the news of their romance, confirmed: “I have spoken with people close to both of them, and they confirm that the romance is over, at least for now. Ferran is currently enjoying being single at the World Cup”.

The timing was striking — the breakup came just 24 hours before Spain’s quarter-final clash against Belgium. Torres, brought on as a substitute in that match, provided the assist for Mikel Merino’s winner as Spain secured a 2-1 victory.

But his finest moment was yet to come. In the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Torres entered as a 62nd-minute replacement. With the game locked at 0-0 in the 106th minute of extra time, he collected a header from fellow substitute Nico Williams and volleyed past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. It was his first goal of the tournament — and unquestionably the most important of his career.

After the match, Torres dedicated the goal to the entire nation. “That goal was scored by 47 million people. It didn’t belong to me or the 26 players on the team. Everything was predetermined and it had to be the deciding goal,” he said. He added: “Destiny is written”.

While Torres celebrated with his teammates, Alguero was thousands of miles away in Bali, sharing Instagram stories of her travels. She appeared to show no interest in celebrating Spain’s victory in their home country.

Torres, who previously had a high-profile relationship with Sira Martínez — daughter of former Spain coach Luis Enrique — during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, now returns to Spain as both a national hero and one of the country’s most eligible bachelors.

Spain’s 1-0 victory ended a 16-year wait for a second World Cup crown and shattered Lionel Messi’s dreams of a triumphant farewell to football’s greatest stage.