Lionel Messi (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
Lionel Messi publicly dismissed rumours linking him to Argentine journalist Sofi Martínez after Argentina's World Cup victory, with wife Antonela Roccuzzo also backing the reporter.
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Lionel Messi has publicly dismissed rumours linking him to Argentine television journalist Sofi Martínez, using a heartfelt conversation after Argentina's World Cup victory to put the speculation to rest.
Following Argentina's Round of 16 win over Cape Verde in Miami, Messi approached Martínez in the mixed zone before speaking to the assembled media. After greeting her with a hug and a customary kiss on the cheek, the Argentina captain addressed the rumours directly.
"When I look at you, people ask why I'm looking at you. When I greet you, they ask why I'm greeting you," Messi said.
Martínez immediately replied:
"They're all lies."
She also thanked Messi for addressing the situation publicly and helping bring an end to the speculation.
The journalist later revealed that Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi's wife, had personally reached out to support her after rumours spread on social media.
"Sofi, don't worry. Ignore the nonsense," Antonela reportedly told her in a message.
Martínez has previously spoken about the impact the rumours had on her personal life, explaining that her family suffered because of the false claims.
"When you're in the public eye, there are things that aren't pleasant, and my family suffered because of it. People started commenting on 'the way he looks at you' and similar things. Suddenly, I found myself having to explain something that simply doesn't exist."
She also argued that the speculation reflected a double standard.
"I became a target simply because I'm a woman. Male journalists wouldn't be treated the same way."
Messi and Antonela have been together since childhood in their hometown of Rosario. They married in 2017 and have three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
By addressing the rumours face to face, Messi made it clear that the relationship with Martínez is nothing more than one of mutual respect between a footballer and a journalist, bringing an end to months of unfounded speculation.