Kelci-Rose Bowers, the English girlfriend of Argentina and Tottenham defender Marcos Senesi, has shared on TikTok the gifts Lionel Messi distributed to his teammates following Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain. The Inter Miami star presented each player with a caramel-coloured bag bearing the recipient's name, the Argentina crest and the World Cup emblem. Bowers also displayed a golden Stanley Cup etched with Messi's personal logo, along with an additional cup, all believed to support mate, a popular South American drink.
Bowers' Role and Reaction
Bowers said she was entrusted by her partner to keep the luxury present "safe" and described it as "pretty cool that I've got it". The reveal comes after speculation about possible tension within the Argentina camp, sparked by clips of Messi's pre-match address before the 1-0 defeat. In the footage, Messi is heard pleading: "Come on, boys, let's forget what happened, as if nothing had happened." Players like Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez appeared distressed in the background, and post-match altercations with Spanish players further fueled rumors of discord.
Bowers' Dual Loyalty
Despite representing England at under-21 level in 2022—sharing an image with the caption "Always an honour to wear this shirt"—Bowers has been seen wearing Argentina attire during the World Cup, supporting Senesi. She attended Argentina's semi-final win over England and celebrated with her partner afterward, but later posted on Instagram: "Proud of my country." In an interview with The Times, she explained: "I grew up wearing an England shirt and had the privilege of representing England, so that connection will always be incredibly strong. [But] when your partner is playing in one of the biggest games of his career, naturally you want him to do well too. I'll be supporting Marcos personally while still feeling incredibly proud whenever I see England on a stage like this."
