An Argentine at the Pinnacle of World Ballet

From July 29 to August 2, 2026, the prestigious Royal Opera House in London is hosting a historic event for dance: the premiere of Marianela: Timeless, the first show entirely conceived and curated by the Argentine dancer Marianela Núñez.

At 44 years old, and after nearly three decades of excellence at the Royal Ballet, Núñez presents an evening that the British press is already calling a masterpiece. According to reviews from outlets like The Guardian, The Times, and London Unattached, the artist displays absolutely frictionless technique and proves to be beyond all comparison.

The Messi of Ballet

For international context, Lionel Messi is an Argentine football legend widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. The British newspaper The Guardian generated great excitement by calling Núñez the Messi of ballet, a comparison that the dancer took with humor and humility. 'The truth is they should call him the Núñez of football,' Marianela joked in an interview with the British media.

The connection with Messi is not just anecdotal. Núñez confessed to identifying with the footballer's absolute passion for his discipline: 'He says, I am happy kicking the ball. I completely identify with that. Give me my pointe shoes and I feel in love with dance,' she stated. Her fanaticism is such that she even entered rehearsals wearing a Messi jersey, as she recounted in an interview with BBC Mundo.

A Career Built with Independence

Núñez arrived in London in 1998 at just 16 years old, and at 20 she became a Principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, a rank she has held for two decades. Interestingly, unlike many of her colleagues, Marianela has never had an artistic agent, a decision that allowed her to build her career at her own pace. 'I am happy to have waited so long. So it really was the perfect path,' she affirmed.

For this show, she chose to share the stage with colleagues who have marked her journey: Vadim Muntagirov, Matthew Ball, William Bracewell, and the new Cuban Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, Patricio Revé. The performance features a live orchestra and is described as a love letter to the company and the audience.

Recognition and Future

Her dedication was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award in 2013 and, more recently, in 2025, she was decorated by King Charles III with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to dance.

Despite being at the top, Marianela feels more fulfilled than ever and is not thinking about retirement. 'I never imagined that, with almost 30 years of career, I would feel so fulfilled. I still feel invincible,' she expressed with emotion. For those who want to enjoy her art in Argentina, the dancer confirmed that in December 2026 she will perform The Nutcracker at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires—widely considered one of the finest opera houses in the world and the beating heart of Argentine culture.