Superstar Messi caught with Vegas stripper – are these photos fake?
Lionel Messi's multimillion dollar brand may be at stake, after saucy new photos of the FC Barcelona star were published in Argentinean tabloid magazines.
The grainy photos depict 25-year-old Messi with a voluptuous blonde stripper at a party in Las Vegas.
When Argentinean magazine Pronto first published the photos this week, fans were outraged by the headlines. There were further allegations that the snaps had been edited with Adobe Photoshop to sell more copies of the tabloid.
"The photos that threaten the marriage of Lionel Messi!" screamed the headlines.
The party, believed to be held in Vegas early July, was said to be organized by Ronaldo Nazario, former Brazil legend and World Cup ambassador, who has been known to enjoy his 'festas' (parties).
Of course, the writers of the story might be getting a little ahead of themselves - they've alleged that Messi and his partner Antonella are currently "in a crisis" and may separate as a result of these pictures.
Antonella and Messi have a baby son together named Thiago, who was born last year.
"Antonella found out that after a game in Chicago, he traveled to Las Vegas and participated in a party, where he was dancing with a blonde strip dancer," wrote the magazine.
After Vegas, Messi continued his holiday in Ibiza with Antonella accompanied by Cesc Fabregas and partner Daniella Semaan. The couple then attended Xavi's wedding together, with no reports of a rift.
Rafael van der Vaart may be seen as a controversial figure back at home in the Netherlands.
After all, he started dating his ex-wife's best friend, Sabia Boulahrouz, almost immediately after divorcing Sylvie in January this year.
Reports in Germany and the Netherlands suggest that the 30-year-old's popularity ratings have dropped, with many calling him a "betrayer" and Sabia a "terrible friend".
Undeterred by the reports,the Hamburger SV striker moved into a new residence in Hamburg last week with Boulahrouz, who was previously married to Dutch-Moroccan footballer Khalid Boulahrouz.
The couple arrived at their new luxury home with a huge movers' truck containing all their belongings.
Rafael's son with Sylvie -- 6 year-old Damian -- is expected to spend weekends with his father while Sabia's own daughter Amaya visits.
Rumours have also suggested that Sabia may be pregnant with Rafael's child, although neither of them have confirmed or denied the reports.
While Rafael has openly spoken about his new, controversial relationship and "unexpected feelings for Sabia" in German sports tabloids, Sylvie continues to keep mum, only opening up about her son.
"It's up to him. All the best (to Rafael) -- I am focused on my son Damian. He is the one who is most important to me," said Sylvie.
In recent months, Sylvie has also been spotted about town with a new man -- a French millionaire with no links to football.
However, she is said to have "severed ties" with Sabia after the latter started a relationship with her ex-husband.
