The Rihanna dating rumors have been swirling recently and there are a lot of different men involved in these dating rumors, all of which happen to be professional athletes. Professional soccer player Karim Benzema, Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton and NBA player Matt Barnes have all recently been linked to the pop-star. Matt Barnes made it seem as though him and Rihanna were an item in a TMZ video but Rihanna shut that down on her Instagram page, according to E! News.
Barnes and Rihanna were reportedly seen out on two dates somewhat recently, according to TMZ, but Rihanna is telling a different story. Rihanna posted a screenshot of Barnes in the TMZ video on her Instagram page with the caption being long hashtags one of which said that the two of them have never even met. Barnes has said all along that they are just friends but it could lead to something and that they are "just past the crush stage."
Barnes commented on Rihanna's photo saying "Hahaaa wow." Barnes was recently traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Memphis Grizzlies but he said that wouldn't affect his relationship with Rihanna because she has a jet.
While Barnes was intent on spreading these seemingly false rumors Rihanna has reportedly gotten closer with Lewis Hamilton. The two of them were seen together at a carnival and then later on a yacht about a week ago. It is unclear what Barnes' motivation is for the allegedly lying about this romance but Rihanna is making it seem like they don't even know each other.
Barnes is heading into his first season with the Grizzlies and is coming off one of his best seasons in 2014-15 with the Clippers. Barnes averaged 10.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while making 44 percent of his field goals and a career high tying 36 percent of his three point attempts.
