Affair with Lionel Messi?
Sports reporter clears up rumors
01/08/2025 – 02:01 amReading time: 2 minutes
Argentine sports reporter Sofi Martinez has spoken publicly about rumors of an affair with soccer star Lionel Messi. In an interview she now spoke plainly.
Argentine sports reporter Sofi Martinez has dismissed rumors that she is having an affair with soccer star Lionel Messi. These “ridiculous” rumors caused her and her family great pain, Martinez reported in an interview with the Argentine broadcaster Telefe.
The renowned journalist and presenter is known for her work for ESPN and TV Publica. She has covered major sporting events such as the Olympics, Formula 1 and the Champions League. She has already had the opportunity to interview Lionel Messi several times, but also other big sports stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, as can be seen in pictures and videos on her Instagram channel.
These, according to her, purely professional encounters have sparked speculation that there could be more than just professionalism between Martinez and the married soccer star. Despite Messi’s marriage to his childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo, persistent fan rumors persist that speak of “flirting glances” between him and the reporter.
Martinez emphasized in the interview: “When your public presence increases, it often brings with it things that are not so good, and my family suffers a lot because of it.” She added: “This year people started talking more and more: ‘What’s wrong with the way he looks at you?’ Stuff like that – it was ridiculous for me to have to clarify.”
The reporter also suspects prejudices behind the rumors. According to her, if a male reporter had interviewed Messi, no one would ask questions.
Lionel Messi himself and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo have not yet commented on the rumors. The couple has been married since 2017 and has three sons: Thiago (12), Mateo (9) and Ciro (6). Their relationship began back in 2007 after a long friendship since childhood.
For years there has been speculation about an alleged affair between Martinez and Messi. However, these were vehemently rejected in 2023 by Daniella Semaan, a close friend of the couple and wife of footballer Cesc Fabregas. At the time, Semaan commented on a corresponding report from Brazil with the words: “What kind of publication is this? It has no meaning and none of it is true.”