Argentine sports reporter Sofi Martinez has firmly denied rumors suggesting she had an affair with Lionel Messi, expressing her frustration over the “ridiculous” speculation that has affected her and her family.

Martinez, a prominent presenter known for her work with ESPN and TV Publica, has covered major sporting events, including the Olympics and Formula One. Her role in reporting on the Argentina national team has led to multiple interviews with Messi, which some fans interpreted as evidence of a romantic relationship, despite Messi’s long-standing marriage to Antonella Roccuzzo.

The rumors intensified after fans pointed to what they perceived as “flirtatious glances” between Martinez and Messi during interviews. In an interview on the Argentine show PH: Podemos Hablar, she addressed these claims, stating, “A lot of the time when your exposure increases, it brings things that aren’t so good, and my family suffers a lot.” She expressed embarrassment about needing to clarify the situation, adding that the scrutiny she faces is often rooted in her gender, suggesting that similar interactions involving a male reporter would not elicit the same speculation.

Messi and Roccuzzo have not commented on the rumors. The couple, who have been married since 2017, share three sons: Thiago, 12, Mateo, nine, and Ciro, six. They began dating in 2007, having been friends since childhood.

The rumors about Martinez date back several years, with Daniella Semaan, the wife of Cesc Fabregas, previously dismissing such claims as baseless, labeling the initial reports from Brazilian outlet Direto Do Miolo as “meaningless.”