Messi jokes about rumors with reporter after win

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has publicly dismissed years of online speculation about his relationship with a television reporter, using a lighthearted exchange after a World Cup match to address the rumors directly. The incident occurred following Argentina's 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in Miami on Friday, July 3, 2026, which secured the team's place in the tournament's last 16.

In the post-match media area, Messi, 39, approached Telefe reporter Sofi Martinez. In front of other journalists, he smiled and said, "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." Martinez immediately responded, "These are all lies," thanking the star for his comments.

The rumors linking Messi and Martinez first gained traction online during Argentina's successful 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar, following an emotional post-match interview she conducted with him. The speculation resurfaced periodically in subsequent years, focusing on their on-camera interactions despite a complete lack of evidence.

Martinez has previously spoken about the personal toll of the gossip. In an appearance on the Argentine program Podemos Hablar,...