Lionel Messi has been forced to address baseless affair rumours with World Cup host Sofi Martinez, with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo stepping in to support the journalist. The Argentina superstar, aged 39, is leading his nation in what is likely his final World Cup, having scored seven goals in the tournament to reach 20 overall, steering Argentina into the last 16.
Post-Match Gesture
Following Argentina's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cape Verde in the round of 32, Messi made a point of seeking out Martinez among a group of reporters. In full view of others, he shared a warm embrace and joked about the speculation. "When I look at you, they ask why I'm looking at you. And when I greet you, they ask why I'm greeting you," Messi said with a grin. Martinez replied, "These are all lies."
Wife's Support
Martinez revealed that Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi's wife and mother of their three children, reached out to her amid the swirling rumours, which first gained traction during Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar. According to Martinez, Antonela's message read: "Sofi, don't worry, ignore the nonsense." Martinez has previously spoken about the toll the rumours have taken on her family, telling Argentina's Podemos Hablar show: "A lot of the time when your exposure increases, it brings things that aren't so good and my family suffers a lot. This year, people began to talk more and more about, 'What's up with the way he looks at you,' things like this, and I was caught in the middle of something that made me feel ridiculous to have to clarify."
Gender Bias Claim
Martinez believes she has been singled out due to her gender. An anonymous colleague told German publication Bild: "Sofi is a very calm person. She wants nothing to do with this whole drama. Messi's life is so orderly that some people simply have to invent scandals."
Focus on Football
With Argentina set to face Egypt in the round of 16 on Tuesday at 5pm BST, Messi's attention will return to the pitch. A potential semi-final clash with England looms if both teams progress. Despite the off-field distractions, Messi remains focused on leading his team in the tournament.
