An Argentine sports reporter has broken her silence over "ridiculous" rumours she had an affair with Lionel Messi.
Messi has been with childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo since 2007, with the couple marrying in 2017 and having three children together: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
But in recent years fans have made unproven claims that Messi had a romance with Sofi Martinez, a journalist who works for ESPN and TV Publica.
As a reporter, Martinez has attended and covered huge events like the Olympics, Formula One, World Cup and Champions League.
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She has also interviewed Messi a number of times and secured an emotional interview with him moments after he finally lifted the World Cup to truly complete football in Qatar in 2022.
Some have claimed that the two exchanged "flirtatious glances" in their chats and the rumours which have been present for a number of years were slammed by Cesc Fabregas' wife Daniella Semaan in 2023.
After Direto Do Miolo ran a story which was debunked, she wrote: "What publication is this that has no meaning.. and has nothing right."
On a new podcast, Martinez commented on the claims and revealed that they had a negative impact on her family after she was "caught in the middle of something".
"A lot of the time when your exposure increases, it brings things that aren't so good and my family suffers a lot," she said on the 'PH: Podemos Hablar' show on Telefe.
"This year, people began to talk more and more about, 'What's up with the way he looks at you,' things like this, and I was caught in the middle of something that made me feel ridiculous to have to clarify."
Martinez also suggested that the theories would not exist if it was a male reporter and also praising Messi's other half for how “she handles the madness” that comes with being his partner when every move is tracked and all sorts of rumours are created.
Neither Messi or his wife have ever commented on the rumours.
Martinez's tribute to Messi
In February 2023, Martinez posted a video of her interviewing Messi for ESPN - accompanied by a tribute to the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner where she thanked him for providing "another unforgettable memory".
She wrote: "To meet the greatest at his best, or at his happiest. To be able to accompany him closely to enjoy, in addition to his career, his respect and warmth. His smile for having lived and continuing to live the most beautiful part of football, without losing the amateur nervousness of receiving an award to which he is almost accustomed. His desire to return to Argentina, which can be noticed from miles away.
"Thank you Leo for realizing everything and giving me another unforgettable memory."
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Barcelona, Inter Miami
Josh Lawless