Sofi Martinez Denies Affair Rumors with Lionel Messi, Addresses Media Speculation
Argentine sports presenter Sofi Martinez has decisively dismissed swirling rumors linking her romantically with football legend Lionel Messi. Martinez has garnered significant recognition in recent times, particularly for her extensive coverage of the Argentina national team and major international sporting events, including the Olympics and Formula One.
The veteran journalist had the distinct honor of interviewing numerous Argentine icons, Messi being one of them. She gained notable attention for her heartfelt interview with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner during Argentina’s glorious 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Despite Messi’s stable marital life with childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo—who he shares three sons with—speculation about a possible romantic liaison with Martinez has been circulating. Observers have frequently pointed out the intensity of Messi’s gaze during their interviews, prompting conjecture that the Inter Miami star might harbor feelings for the journalist.
During a recent discussion on the Argentine talk show PH: Podemos Hablar, broadcast on Telefe, Martinez candidly addressed the affair rumors that have plagued her. She expressed the emotional distress these allegations brought to her and her loved ones. “It’s often said that with increased visibility comes unwanted baggage, and this year has been particularly tough as people began to question, ‘What’s going on with the way he looks at you?’ which left me feeling utterly ridiculous needing to clarify things,” she revealed, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Martinez further elaborated that many of the rumors arise because of the dominant gender narrative. She asserted that if male host Andy Kusnetzoff exhibited similar interactions with Messi, the public perception would have been entirely different.
Since 2022, Sofi Martinez has conducted numerous interviews with Lionel Messi, leading to occasional speculations about jealousy from Roccuzzo towards her professional dynamic with her husband. Addressing this notion in a 2023 interview with Argentine publication Clarín, Martinez stated: “No, zero, zero, I have no clue where this comes from, really. In fact, I went out with Antonela once, and I hold great respect for how she copes with the chaos surrounding them, the family life they maintain, which I truly love…”
She continued, commenting on the couple’s relationship, “It’s genuinely admirable to watch how they manage their life together, casually sharing their everyday moments without showy extravagance, so he’s certainly the best in the world alongside Antonela.”
Messi and Roccuzzo, who have known each other since they were children, celebrated their marriage on June 30, 2017.
