Singer Julieta Venegas rejected rumors in an interview that she received 14 million pesos for her work on ‘La Niña Futbolista’. She stated she participated without payment and from the heart to encourage girls in football.
In conversation with Javier Paniagua, Venegas explained that the invitation was to perform a children's song by the group Patita de Perro for a Día del Niño activity. She said the idea appealed to her as a way to motivate girls who play football.
The controversy began after the song was used at an award ceremony for a contest organized by President Claudia Sheinbaum. Versions spread on social media claiming the artist had received a large payment.
Venegas called the 14 million figure absurd and mythological. She noted she is not the author of the song and only made some adjustments to the arrangement and lyrics. President Sheinbaum had clarified on June 10 that it was not an official 2026 World Cup song.
