Love Stories: An online petition with 20,000 signatures almost ended Julian Alvarez and Emilia Ferrero's relationship

Argentine footballer, Julian Alvarez is known for his incredible skills on the field, playing for Manchester City and the Argentina national team.

But Alvarez's off-field romance is what has been catching the public's attention recently.

The footballer is dating High School P.E. teacher Emilia Ferrero.

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The duo went public with their relationship ahead of the 2022 world cup, but it's believed that they had quite a bit of history before that. 

Ferrero and Alvarez both grew up in the same village of Calchin, Argentina and attended the same high school.

The pair reportedly became great friends, and are rumoured to have eventually started dating around five years ago, before splitting up and deciding to give their relationship a second try.

Alvarez and Ferrero appear all loved up on social media, regularly posting pictures of one another with adorable captions. 

"It makes me happy to see you happy, it makes me happy that your wishes come true and it would make me very happy that all your dreams come true," Alvarez captioned a post for his partner's 23rd birthday on June 12, 2023.

"Thank you for always being there, thank you for supporting me, thank you for teaching me and thank you for being you," he continued.

"Never stop smiling, you deserve everything. Happy birthday, Maria Emilia! I love you lots."

Ferrero also posts her fair share of support for her footballer boyfriend, often sharing posts of her at his games with captions declaring her love and support for the Argentine forward. 

However, their relationship came under fire from fans earlier this year.

In January, 2023, a Change.org petition amassed over 20,000 signatures pleading for Alvarez to break up with Ferrero. 

The petition was started after reports that Ferrero 'refused' a group of fans a picture with her boyfriend.

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However it soon came out that rather than 'refusing' fans a picture, it seems that she was simply in a rush.

The uproar was caused by Ferrero reportedly shouting at fans who were taking an image with Alvarez, "Guys, one more photo and that's it. We have to go."

The duo have never acknowledged the petition publicly, and it seems that it didn't have its intended effect seeing as the couple are still together.