The 2026 World Cup came to an end with Spain claiming the title of new world champion. However, the tournament left behind far more than football. During its course, the Argentine national team and its fans were subjected to fierce criticism that went beyond the sporting realm and touched on social, geopolitical and cultural aspects of the country.
In that context, María Becerra was not only one of the Argentine artists who came to Argentina's defense against the criticism circulating on social media, but also reaffirmed the pride she feels for her roots during her show in Barcelona.
After briefly interrupting her Quimera Tour to perform the Argentine National Anthem at MetLife Stadium in New York — where the Scaloneta faced Spain and fell 1-0 to a Ferran Torres goal in extra time — the Nena de Argentina traveled to Spain to continue her international tour.
María Becerra performed at the Barts Festival, held at the Poble Espanyol in Barcelona, where she unfurled the Argentine flag while performing Miénteme, the hit song she released alongside Tini Stoessel.
It is worth noting that this gesture by the artist took place just three days after the 2026 World Cup final, in which Spain claimed its second star after defeating the Argentine national team, which is currently at the center of a fierce controversy due to a wave of criticism and questioning on social media, from both thousands of internet users and international figures, including Rosalía, Patti Smith and Samuel L. Jackson.
"María Becerra"
— Tendencias en Argentina (@porqueTTarg) July 22, 2026
Because she raised the Argentine flag during her show today in Spain. pic.twitter.com/Mr1WAAKWs6
In the middle of the song, microphone in hand, the artist — who wore a casual athletic look consisting of loose-fitting burgundy cotton trousers paired with a white top with details matching the color of the lower garment — fully unfurled the Argentine flag on stage.
Seconds later, with a smile that reflected her emotion, Becerra raised the Argentine flag with both arms above her head and waved it from side to side in time with the music.
The singer's gesture moved a large portion of her followers in Argentina. As a result, the scene quickly went viral on social media, where hundreds of fans praised María for displaying the Argentine flag in the middle of a concert in Barcelona and highlighted the pride with which she represented her country.
"There's a reason she's called the Nena de Argentina, and it's well deserved," "That's why we love her," "La Nena holds it down, legend," "Always representing. This woman, how I love her," and "No, seriously, she's the best person in the world," were some of the comments left by users on X (formerly Twitter), where they celebrated the singer's attitude.
María Becerra defended Argentina amid the wave of criticism: "These are words of hate to jump on a trend"
After singing the verses of the National Anthem at the match in which the Argentine national team faced Spain in New York, María Becerra used her official Instagram account (@mariabecerra) — where she currently has 15.2 million followers — to share some of the snapshots taken before her performance at MetLife Stadium.
And, as could not have been otherwise, the Nena de Argentina also shared various images of the striking light blue and white sweetheart neckline dress she wore in front of thousands of Argentine fans, designed with a May Sun at hip height.
The carousel also included images of the singer wearing the Argentine national team jersey and jeans customized with the national colors, as well as snapshots from the rehearsal prior to singing the National Anthem, in which she was seen alongside Tom Cruise wearing a blue top and a yellow skirt.
However, beyond the images laden with patriotic symbols, the words María chose to accompany the post were what generated the most reaction among her followers, amid the wave of criticism against Argentina on social media.
"There is no greater pride than being Argentine. A country that has opened its doors to the entire world. Full of love, empathy and respect," she stated in the caption of the post.
It was then that Becerra made reference to the wave of criticism facing both the Argentine national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, and the country: "I invite you to visit every part of these beautiful lands and see for yourselves that what so many say about us is nothing more than words of hate, jumping on the bandwagon of treating us any way they please."
To close her message, María Becerra thanked Argentina for having given her the opportunity to make her way in the music industry and fulfill the dream she had since childhood: dedicating herself to music.
"My people, thank you for giving me so many opportunities and allowing me to live these moments that I will keep in my heart forever," she concluded.
