It was the autograph heard 'round the world. Or at least, the one that set every social media algorithm in Spain on fire. In late 2022, amidst the high-octane atmosphere of the Qatar World Cup, King Felipe VI walked into the Spanish locker room. He wasn't just there to offer a royal "good job." He walked out with a signed jersey from Pablo Martín Páez Gavira—better known to the world as Gavi.
The twist? The shirt was tiny. Definitely not King-sized.
Within hours, the internet had decided. This wasn't just a fan souvenir; it was a romantic bridge. The "Princess of Spain Gavi" narrative was born, linking the 18-year-old Princess Leonor to the 18-year-old midfield maestro. It’s the kind of story that feels like it was ripped from a Netflix script. A future Queen and a Golden Boy. What’s not to love? But if you strip away the TikTok edits and the fan-fiction, the reality of what went down between the Zarzuela Palace and the Camp Nou is a bit more grounded. Honestly, it's a masterclass in how a tiny bit of truth can spiral into a massive urban legend.
The World Cup "Crush" Heard Around Europe
Let's look at the facts. Princess Leonor, the Princess of Asturias, was attending UWC Atlantic College in Wales when the rumors peaked. Like most teenagers in Spain, she follows football. It’s basically a national requirement. Reports from her school suggested she had a folder covered in photos of the Barcelona midfielder. Is that a "royal decree of love"? Probably not. It's more like what every other Gen Z person in Spain was doing at the time. Gavi was the "it" boy of Spanish football—aggressive on the pitch, boyish off it.
When King Felipe asked for that signature, he was doing what any dad does: getting a gift for his kid. But because he’s the King, and she’s the heir to the throne, the "Princess of Spain Gavi" connection became a geopolitical obsession.
The media frenzy reached such a peak that people were genuinely checking Spanish succession laws. "Could a footballer become Prince Consort?" was a legitimate question being debated on late-night talk shows. Luis Enrique, the Spanish coach at the time, even got grilled about it during a press conference. He laughed it off, but the public wasn't letting go. For a few months, it felt like a royal wedding was just one goal away.
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Why the Gavi and Princess Leonor Romance Never Happened
Here is where the fantasy hits a brick wall. Gavi hasn't spent his time pining for a crown. Instead, he's been quite public—in a very low-key, Gen Z way—with someone else.
Enter Ana Pelayo.
While the world was busy photoshopping Leonor into Barcelona jerseys, Gavi was actually being spotted with Ana, a student and influencer from Seville. By late 2024 and throughout 2025, the "rumor" of their relationship shifted into "documented reality." During Barcelona's La Liga title celebrations in May 2025, Gavi was seen hand-in-hand with Ana on the pitch. They weren't hiding. They were sharing kisses in front of thousands of fans and millions of television viewers.
The Handshake That Cleared the Air
If there was ever a "final chapter" to the royal rumor, it happened during the official receptions for the Spanish national team. When Spain won Euro 2024, the team visited the Royal Palace. Everyone was watching the handshake between Leonor and Gavi.
It was... polite.
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Actually, it was kind of awkward. They barely made eye contact. There was a stiff, professional handshake that lasted maybe half a second. To some, the "tension" was proof of a secret flame. To anyone who has ever been a 19-year-old in a room with someone they were once rumored to be dating, it looked like pure "I want to be anywhere else right now" energy.
The Reality of Being Princess Leonor in 2026
You've got to remember that Princess Leonor isn't just a socialite. She’s currently in the middle of intense military training. We’re talking about a woman who has been training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza and the Naval Academy in Marín. She’s busy learning how to command troops and sail ships, not chasing footballers across Europe.
The Spanish monarchy is in a "reconstruction" phase. After the scandals involving her grandfather, Juan Carlos I, the focus for Leonor is 100% on duty and image. Dating a high-profile athlete—especially one as "feisty" on the pitch as Gavi—would be a PR nightmare for the palace. They want stability, not headlines about "Gavi's latest red card" being linked to the future Queen of Spain.
Leonor has also been linked to others. There was the Brazilian classmate from her time in Wales, Gabriel Giaconelli. They were spotted together in New York and Mallorca. While that also seems to have cooled off, it highlights a pattern: she’s likely to date within her social circle or among fellow students, far away from the flashing lights of the Camp Nou.
Why the "Princess of Spain Gavi" Story Won’t Die
Social media loves a trope. The "Commoner and the Royal" is the oldest story in the book. Even in 2026, the TikTok edits of Gavi and Leonor still get millions of views. It’s a self-sustaining ecosystem of "what ifs."
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But let's be real for a second.
- Gavi is focused on his comeback. After a brutal ACL injury that sidelined him for nearly a year, his priority is regaining his spot as the heartbeat of Barcelona's midfield.
- Leonor is focused on the Crown. Her schedule is dictated by the state, not by La Liga fixtures.
- Ana Pelayo exists. Gavi has consistently chosen a private life in Seville and Barcelona over a life of royal protocol.
The "Princess of Spain Gavi" saga is basically the Spanish version of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce rumors, if Travis was a revolutionary and Taylor was literally the state. It’s fun to talk about, but there’s no "there" there.
What You Should Actually Look For
If you want to know what’s really happening with these two, stop looking for "leaked" love letters.
Instead, watch the sidelines. If Gavi continues to bring Ana Pelayo to major trophy celebrations, that’s your answer. On the royal side, watch Leonor’s official engagements. She’s becoming more independent, taking on more solo responsibilities. Her "dating life" will likely remain a state secret until a ring is actually on a finger.
Next steps for the curious:
If you're still tracking this, keep an eye on the official Instagram of the Spanish Royal Family (@casareal.es) for Leonor’s military graduation updates, and follow reputable Spanish sports outlets like Marca or Mundo Deportivo for Gavi’s actual relationship status. Everything else is just noise.
The truth is, Gavi is a king on the pitch, and Leonor will be a Queen in the palace, but they’re ruling two completely different worlds.