Messi distracted by pregnancy rumours during Argentina conference

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by Goal.com

Barcelona phenomenon Lionel Messi was momentarily caught off-guard during his first press conference since returning to Argentina, losing track of the questions after being light-heartedly 'congratulated' over the ongoing rumours he is to be a father.

The 24-year-old Ballon d'Or winner has been the subject of months of speculation that he is expecting his first child with girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo. Messi has refused to either confirm or deny the reports, keeping a low profile regarding his personal life.

Speaking on Tuesday after training with his Argentina colleagues, however, 'La Pulga' was surprised by a reporter from Argentine humour show Caiga Quien Caiga, who broke the previously sombre mood of the conference by congratulating him on becoming a father.

"This will go to show all of those who wish you ill and say you can only put it in when you are in Barcelona," the reporter joked, before posing the question to the star whether he would prefer to beat Brazil with a goal in the last minute of the World Cup final, or have the game end in a thrashing.

Messi, however, looked blankly ahead, before regaining his composure and stating "I didn't actually hear the question because I was thinking of something else," to the amusement of the gathered press.

"I want to win, no matter how it occurs. Let's have a 4-0, so we don't suffer too much," was the Argentine's eventual answer to the question.

Messi and the Albiceleste take on Ecuador in Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires, before taking on Brazil a week later in a friendly encounter.