Who Is Sofi Martinez? Lionel Messi Responds to Romance Rumors with Argentine World Cup Reporter After Meeting Her Post Cape Verde Match

Lionel Messi has responded to ongoing speculation linking him romantically with Argentine television reporter Sofi Martinez following an interaction between the two in the mixed zone after Argentina’s World Cup match. The 39-year-old addressed the rumors after Argentina’s hard-fought 3-2 extra-time win against Cape Verde in Miami on Friday.

Following the match, Messi approached Martinez, who works for Argentine broadcaster Telefe, in the post-match media area to greet her and share his thoughts on Argentina’s Round of 32 win. After greeting Martinez with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, Messi shut down the speculation surrounding their relationship, making it clear that the rumors about the pair were unfounded.

Not in a Relationship

“When I look at you, they ask why I’m looking at you,” Messi told Martinez in front of several other members of the media who were there to interview him, Bild reported. “And when I greet you, they ask why I’m greeting you,” the Inter Miami star added, effectively ridiculing the internet speculation.

The viral clip also showed Martinez quickly responding to Messi’s comments. “These are all lies,” the 33-year-old journalist said, thanking the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for putting the rumors to rest.

The public exchange came after Martinez recently revealed that Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, had personally contacted her during the wave of speculation.

The 38-year-old sent her a direct message offering support and dismissing the rumors of jealousy, according to Martinez

“Sofi, don’t worry, ignore the nonsense,” Roccuzzo reportedly wrote.

The speculation first gained widespread attention after Argentina’s semifinal win over Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. During a post-match interview, Martinez delivered an emotional message to Messi, telling him that no tournament result could ever lessen the impact he had on the Argentine people.

That heartfelt moment later fueled a wave of unfounded fan theories about their relationship.

Silencing Rumormongers

Martinez previously spoke about the rumors during an appearance on the Argentine television show Podemos Hablar, saying the attention had taken a toll on her and her family. “As your public profile grows, it also brings things that aren’t so good, and my family suffers a lot,” Martinez said.

“This year, people kept asking, ‘What’s with the way he looks at you?’ and making comments like that. I found myself caught up in something that made me feel ridiculous for even having to explain.”

The journalist also argued that the speculation was fueled largely by her being a woman, saying a male reporter in the same position would likely not have faced the same kind of scrutiny.

Despite the speculation, Martinez and Messi have continued to meet professionally at major events, including the Ballon d’Or ceremony and the Copa América, as part of their respective careers.

Messi and Roccuzzo have been married for nine years, having first met as children in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

The couple welcomed their first son, Thiago, in 2012, followed by Mateo in 2015 and Ciro in 2018. They married in 2017 during a lavish ceremony at a luxury hotel in Rosario.

Roccuzzo has remained one of Messi‘s biggest supporters throughout his career and is frequently seen in the stands cheering him on during his matches.

Meanwhile, Martinez recently spoke about her own relationship status during an interview with Canal 9 following her split from fellow journalist Diego Leuco at the end of 2023. Addressing continued speculation linking her to Argentine television personality Marcos Ginocchio, she said she was “as single as possible.”