Sofi Martinez Mateos has previously conducted multiple interviews with Lionel Messi. In fact, Martinez Mateos first gained global recognition due to a widely circulated incident prior to the Qatar 2022 World Cup Final. During that moment, she expressed her appreciation towards Messi, emphasizing that the happiness he had brought to people was more significant than a potential World Cup triumph, eliciting an emotional reaction from the audience.
The journalist, working for ESPN and Argentina’s Televisión Pública, once again captured attention for an interaction with Messi, this time occurring following the Argentinian’s eighth Ballon d’Or victory. While waiting for Messi to complete an interview, online viewers pointed out perceived “affectionate glances” exchanged between the Argentinian icon and the journalist as he engaged with others.
Messi was accompanied by his spouse Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children at the event.
Martinez Mateos quickly dismissed any implication of romantic intent in the exchanged looks, and condemned the underlying misogyny. During an interview with Despierta America, she expressed in Spanish, “Leo has a positive relationship with numerous journalists.” She further observed that he smiles at journalists either because he “holds them in high regard” or due to the positive ambiance. She emphasized, “The only distinction is that I’m a woman, so they sensationalize it.”
She also noted that this discriminatory scrutiny highlighted a double standard applied to women in professional environments, and that it caused unnecessary speculation and unwarranted attention.
It was somewhat sorrowful to see the headlines as the event had no relation to romance. The reporter, who has conducted interviews with the majority of the Argentinian World Cup-winning team for a series titled Llave a la Eternidad (Essential to Eternity) for Argentina’s Televisión Pública, mentioned that Messi remains composed during her interviews.
She conveyed, “I believe he is undergoing a fantastic phase in his career,” and continued, “he is delighted that I will be interviewing him following his eighth Ballon d’Or victory,” and naturally, “he will be wearing a smile.”
Image Credit: leomessi @ Instagram