Miss World: Argentine Contestant Stuns in Messi-Inspired Dress at Final

Alina Akselrad arrived at the Miss World final dressed in Argentina’s most recognizable sporting language. Her skirt showed images from Lionel Messi’s career, from his Newell’s Old Boys years to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, while the corset resembled the national team shirt.

The 27-year-old model from Córdoba had previously presented Messi as an ally in her attempt to stand out at the global pageant. She did not win the crown, but reached the final 20 among 111 contestants competing in Vietnam.

The title went to Joheirry Mola, a 24-year-old teacher and communicator from the Dominican Republic. She defeated Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés at a five-hour ceremony in a public square in the coastal city of Nha Trang. Brief rain showers caused delays and forced attendees to seek shelter.

Mola was the only contestant among the 111 finalists to speak in Spanish during the ceremony. Gabriela Botelho of Brazil was the highest-placed contestant from South America.

Miss World divides contestants into four regional groups, Asia and Oceania, the Americas and Caribbean, Europe, and Africa, and ensures equal representation from each in the final 40. Unlike Miss Universe, the British-origin competition does not include a swimsuit round and has increasingly given contestants space to discuss social causes and current affairs. Argentina has won the title twice, in 1960 and 1978.