Lionel Messi Dismisses Romance Rumors with Journalist Sofi Martínez After Argentina's World Cup Win
Following Argentina’s 3‑2 extra‑time victory over Cape Verde in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup in Miami, captain Lionel Messi greeted Telefe reporter Sofi Martínez with a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. In the mixed‑zone press area Messi joked, “When I look at you, they ask why I’m looking. When I greet you, they ask why I’m greeting,” directly addressing long‑running speculation about a personal relationship.
Martínez responded that the rumors were “all lies” and thanked Messi for the gesture. She also disclosed that Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, had sent her a private message urging her to ignore the gossip. The exchange, which quickly went viral, revived rumors that first surfaced after an emotional interview during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Both Messi and Martinez emphasized that their interaction was strictly professional, and the episode sparked broader commentary on the gender bias faced by women in sports journalism.
The incident has been widely shared on social media, with many fans and media outlets noting that the high‑profile player used humor to put an end to unfounded speculation.