Sofi Martinez has shut down rumours of an affair with Lionel Messi(Image: sofimmartinez/Instagram)

An Argentinian sports presenter has shut down claims that she had an affair with Lionel Messi.

Sofi Martinez has drawn praise for her work covering the Argentina national team and on events including the Paris Olympics, Formula One and the Champions League. But the fame has brought with it unwelcome attention into her personal life, including rumours that she had become intimate with the Barcelona icon.

Martinez and Messi have crossed paths on numerous occasions, with her emotional interview with the 37-year-old forward following Argentina’s 2022 World Cup success going viral. Off the back of the interview, the Inter Miami star’s interactions with Martinez were scrutinised by fans.

Baseless rumours emerged that the two could be romantically involved, despite Messi being married to his childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo for seven years, with the pair sharing three sons. However, Martinez felt the need to slam the claims as she opened up on the pain it has caused her and her family.“A lot of the time when your exposure increases, it brings things that aren’t so good and my family suffers a lot” Martinez admitted during an appearance on ‘PH: Podemos Hablar’ on Argentinian channel, Telefe.

Lionel Messi is seven-years married to childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo, who he shares three sons with(Image: antonelaroccuzzo/X)

“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,” Martinez added, referring to the unfounded fan theories claiming that the pair exchanged flirtatious glances during an interview at the 2022 World Cup.

Martinez previously rubbished any jealousy claims when she was asked about the apparent rumours following her interview with Messi in Qatar. “No, zero, zero, I don’t know where it comes from, honestly,” the journalist said.

Martinez has interviewed Messi on multiple occasions(Image: sofimmartinez/Instagram)

She continued to laud Antonela for the way she handles the fame and speculation that comes with being married to one of the most famous men on the planet and greatest footballers of all time.

“On the contrary, look, I once went out with Antonela, I admire her a lot,” Martinez said. “Because of how she handles the madness around her, because of the family they have, which I love.

“And it really is admirable to see how they get along, how they show their daily life without any great eccentricities, so the best in the world with Antonela.”