A lighthearted World Cup wager between professional soccer couple Ana Maria Markovic and Tomas Ribeiro ended with Ribeiro banished to the couch after Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a group-stage match. The bet, which the couple shared on social media, added a personal stake to an already high-stakes game that determined advancement to the Round of 16.
Markovic, a Croatian forward who currently plays for Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League, posted on Instagram before the match with the caption: «Someone’s sleeping on the couch tonight.» The post featured photos of the couple wearing their respective national team jerseys, signaling the terms of their wager. Ribeiro, a Portuguese defender for Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in Spain, responded in the comments: «Guess who’s gonna be?»
The match, held on June 24, saw Portugal secure a 2-1 victory, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading his team to the knockout stage. Croatia’s hopes were dashed after a potential game-tying goal was overturned by VAR, a decision that drew widespread attention. For Ribeiro, however, the win came with a personal cost: despite advancing in the tournament, he faced a night on the couch at home.
Markovic, who has been dubbed the «World’s Most Beautiful Soccer Player» by some media outlets, documented her experience at a bar where the couple watched the game. Surrounded by Portuguese fans, she noted, «I’m literally the only Croatian here,» according to a report from The Sun. The atmosphere, she implied, made Croatia’s loss even harder to accept.
After the match, Markovic appeared to confirm that she had the bed to herself, posting a follow-up that suggested she was not showing any mercy. The couple’s playful rivalry has drawn attention from fans and media alike, highlighting the personal dynamics that can emerge when national loyalties clash in a relationship.
Ribeiro’s team is set to face Spain on Monday afternoon in their next group-stage match, and it remains unclear whether Markovic will support him or continue to root against him. The outcome of that game could determine whether Ribeiro earns his way back into the couple’s bed or remains on the couch until his team’s tournament run ends.
The wager reflects the intense passion that the World Cup inspires, even among professional players who understand the stakes better than most. For Markovic, the victory was bittersweet: her national team was eliminated, but she secured a personal win in the household competition. For Ribeiro, the loss of sleeping privileges may be a small price to pay for Portugal’s advancement, though the couch is unlikely to feel comfortable after a hard-fought match.
As the tournament progresses, the couple’s bet serves as a reminder that the World Cup is not just about national pride but also about the everyday moments that make the sport relatable. Whether Ribeiro can negotiate a truce or will have to endure further couch time remains to be seen, but for now, Markovic holds the upper hand in this domestic duel.
