The LGBTQ+ community has many gifts. Matteo Santoro and Stefano Belotti are the latest reminder that we can identify a pop diva’s next album from a blurry Instagram Story, detect queer coding with the confidence of a CIA analyst, and convince ourselves two athletes are soulmates because they exchanged one smile after sticking the landing.
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After the Italian diving stars nailed a spectacular synchronized performance at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, social media skipped right past “great teammates” and headed straight for “boyfriends.” It was giving Olympic romance. It was giving enemies of personal boundaries. It was also… completely wrong.
Matteo Santoro and Stefano Belotti were synchronized—but not romantically
Nineteen-year-old Matteo Santoro teamed up with Belotti in the men’s 3-meter synchronized springboard event and saved their best dive for the grand finale.
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That clutch performance earned the Italians a bronze medal, edging Britain’s Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding by just 0.48 points. If you’re wondering whether less than half a point can make your blood pressure spike, ask literally anyone watching diving.
“I’ve had many times where I’ve put everything down to the last dive, and it’s even better to take the bronze medal in this way,” said Santoro afterwards.
Speaking about Belotti, he added: “We had a lot of fun during the competition and diving together in general.”
And apparently that’s all it takes for the internet to start shopping for matching tuxedos.
Belotti, 22, and Santoro have been diving together for years, even winning gold at the 2022 World Youth Championships. They’ve built trust, chemistry and excellent timing—qualities that make fantastic diving partners and, according to thousands of commenters, fictional husbands.
Matteo Santoro politely tells everyone to unclench
Eventually, the speculation became impossible to ignore. Speaking to Italian LGBTQ+ outlet Gay.it, Matteo Santoro addressed the rumors directly.
“I want to point out that we are not a couple in real life.”
Simple. Clear. End of discussion.Well… that should settle it. Although the internet has never exactly been famous for letting a rumor go.
The following day, Gay.it reported that Belotti chimed in on Instagram with his own response: “I’m not gay, stop asking me.”
Honestly, it was less of a coming-out story and more of a “please stop assigning me a boyfriend” story.
Matteo Santoro already had his own real-life romance
Part of the reason the gossip spread so quickly is because Matteo Santoro has already made LGBTQ+ sports history.
Last year, fans learned he was dating Spanish diver Max Linan after an anniversary Instagram post went public. Linan later confirmed that both athletes are gay, making them one of diving’s most visible queer couples.
Since then, however, the anniversary post has disappeared, and neither diver has publicly discussed their current relationship. As things stand, Matteo Santoro’s relationship status remains exactly that—his business.
Which is refreshing in an era where people think liking someone’s Instagram Story counts as an engagement announcement.
Matteo Santoro would rather collect medals than relationship rumors
While social media has been playing Cupid, Matteo Santoro has been doing something far more productive: filling his medal collection.
Despite being just 19 years old, the Italian sensation has already amassed 24 senior and youth international medals.
His biggest triumph came at last summer’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, where he partnered with longtime teammate Chiara Pellacani to win gold in the mixed 3-meter springboard event and officially become a world champion.
Last September, Santoro also moved to Miami to study while training with the Hurricanes Swim and Dive team, joining Pellacani in one of the sport’s top collegiate programs.
Matteo Santoro still isn’t finished winning
Paris has been another glittering chapter for Matteo Santoro. Alongside his bronze with Belotti, he reunited with Pellacani to capture European gold in the mixed 3-meter springboard before adding another gold in the mixed team competition. Some people leave Paris with souvenirs. Matteo Santoro is leaving with enough medals to make airport security do a double take.
He also qualified eighth for the men’s individual 3-meter springboard final, giving himself another shot at adding even more hardware before leaving Paris. Linan also competed in the preliminary round but finished 22nd and did not advance.
Looking ahead, Santoro has his sights firmly set on the LA 2028 Olympic Games, where he’ll likely arrive as one of diving’s brightest young stars. And perhaps the biggest takeaway from this whole saga is surprisingly wholesome. Matteo Santoro isn’t asking fans to stop celebrating queer athletes. He’s simply reminding everyone that two teammates can have incredible chemistry without dating.
Sometimes synchronized diving is just synchronized diving. Although, let’s be honest—we all know the internet is already scouting the next pair of attractive athletes standing just a little too close together.
Source: 94018