Rumors of Lionel Messi Cheating: Nothing More Than Lies?

Lionel Messi and his wife, Antonella Rocuzzo, have become one of the most adored famous couples, thanks to their long-lasting relationship (they were childhood sweethearts, a rarity in celebritydom) and the affectionate photos they frequently post on social media. However, recent leaks on social networks have stirred questions about their past. But how serious should we take these rumors? Let’s examine some of the most notorious gossip about the legendary footballer. 

The Blonde Woman in Vegas

Photos emerged suggesting Messi may have been unfaithful to the mother of his three children, surprising many of his devoted fans. In 2013, leaked images showed what appeared to be Messi with a woman in a highly compromising position during a celebration in Las Vegas reportedly attended by Cristiano Ronaldo. The photos allegedly showed Messi getting pretty cozy with a blonde Slavic model. However, many immediately noticed that this guy was missing Messi’s distinctive tattoos. Sure enough, the rumors were eventually debunked when it was confirmed that the person in the photos was not Messi but a lookalike.

Allegations from Other Models

Beyond the 2013 incident, other models have also accused Messi of messing around. For instance, in 2017, Peruvian model Xoana Gonzalez claimed on a local TV show, The Value of Truth, that she had gotten busy with Messi. During her interview, she shared detailed accounts of her alleged encounter, calling him a “wimp” and knocking his sexual prowess, saying, “I expected more from someone as accomplished as him.” Despite the attention her claims received, Messi has never publicly responded to them. It should be noted that Gonzalez’s allegations have never been proven, but they nonetheless have circulated in Argentine media for years. Many find the claims impossible to believe, and have urged Messi to address them or even consider legal action for defamation.

In another example, this time in 2022, Paraguayan model Milena Foradaca claimed that Messi made a pass at her, but that she was having none of it. As she explained, given that footballers tend to be unfaithful to their significant others, she considered his sweet words of affection to be nothing more than a cynical attempt to sleep with her. Similarly, Chilean model Daniella Chavez alleged that she possessed a compromising video of Messi and hinted at his involvement with other models. While she didn’t directly name Messi, her description strongly suggested he was the one she was referring to. Chavez claims to have video evidence of their steaming evening together but conveniently chose not to release it, insisting she wanted to respect his privacy. Messi has never addressed these allegations, and Chavez has since deleted some of her tweets about him.

Brazilian model Suzy Cortez has made her devotion to FC Barcelona—and especially to her favorite player, Lionel Messi—a big part of her public persona. Though there’s no evidence of any personal relationship between them, Suzy proudly claims the title of Messi’s “superfan.” Her admiration runs deep: she now has eight tattoos in his honor, including a bold portrait of his face inked just above her hips, showing just how committed she is to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The Case of the Messi Look-Alike

In a twist, Messi’s look-alike, Reza Parastesh, has also contributed to the rumors. Known as “fake Messi” on social media, Parastesh gained notoriety due to his striking resemblance to the Argentine star. He made headlines in June 2023 for allegedly fooling at least 23 women into believing he was Messi.

Parastesh, a 30-year-old from Hamedan, Iran, rose to fame after a photo of him wearing a Barcelona jersey went viral, highlighting his similarity to Messi. Parastesh’s journey as “fake Messi” began with that Barcelona shirt, a gift from his father, which drew widespread attention to his resemblance. He then adopted a hairstyle and facial hair similar to Messi’s, which attracted fans eager to take photos with him, further blurring the line between him and the World Cup winner.

His resemblance was so striking that Iranian police briefly detained him after large crowds mistook him for the real deal. Following his release, Parastesh took full advantage by leveraging his newfound fame, landing modeling contracts and media attention. It appears he may have “taken advantage” in other ways too if the victims are to be believed.

In response to the accusations against Parastesh that he used his likeness to deceive women into relationships, he has completely denied them, stating that in a country like Iran he would have faced serious legal repercussions if he had actually committed such acts. He went on to emphasize that the rumors have caused a whole lot of stress for him, particularly in a conservative society and the strain they put on his relationship with his family.