Sofi Martinez, a sports presenter from Argentina, said rumours she had an affair with Messi were ‘absurd’ and caused her family distress.

Martinez once had the opportunity to interview Messi. Photo: Totalmedios.

Sofi Martinez is a leading Argentine presenter and reporter, working for ESPN and TV Publica. She has covered major events such as the Olympics, Formula 1 and the Champions League.

During his career, Martinez had the opportunity to interview many Argentine sports legends, including Messi – the star currently playing for Inter Miami (USA).

However, the interactions during these work meetings sparked rumors of an extramarital affair between the female reporter and the football legend, despite Messi’s seven-year marriage to his childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo.

Sofi Martinez is rumored to have had an affair with Messi. Photo: La Nacion.

Fan speculation about “flirty glances” between Martinez and Messi quickly fueled rumours of an extramarital affair between the two, news.com.au reported.

But in a recent interview on Telefe’s PH: Podemos Hablar program, the female reporter denied the baseless rumors.

“A lot of times when the interaction increases, it brings bad things and my family has suffered a lot,” Martinez said.

“This year, people are talking more about, ‘What’s wrong with the way he looks at you?’ That kind of thing. I’m stuck explaining, which is ridiculous,” she added.

Martinez hinted that it was her gender that led fans to question her interactions with Messi, arguing that the rumours would not have happened if a male reporter had questioned the Inter Miami star.

She cited the example of presenter Andy Kusnetzoff being able to see Messi in the same way but without causing speculation because he is a man.

Messi and his wife, Antonela, have not commented on the rumours. The couple have been in a romantic relationship for many years, have been married since 2017 and have three sons: Thiago (12), Mateo (9) and Ciro (6).

Messi and his wife have a happy life with 3 children. Photo: @antonelaroccuzzo.

According to Messi himself, the relationship between him and Antonella began in 1996. At that time, Messi was 9 years old and was one of the promising players of the Oldell’s Old Boys football team. Antonella (8 years old at that time) was born into a wealthy family and lived on the same street as Messi in Argentina.

In 2000, Messi left his home country and went to Europe to join the Barcelona youth academy, when his relationship with Antonella was just beginning to blossom. During the first few years, Messi kept in touch by writing letters.

As Messi began to assert his position as a top star, Antonella began a new relationship in her hometown that lasted more than 3 years, but then her boyfriend died in an accident.

In 2007, Messi returned to his homeland and created a turning point for the two to get back together. They secretly loved each other for nearly 3 years, before going public at the time of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

As for Martinez, she said she is still single. She also admires the way Antonella handles the “crazy rumors” surrounding her global soccer star husband.