We know that sometimes referring to celebrities as our significant others can just be some harmless fun, as long people are able to understand the difference between real life and not-so real life.

For one unfortunate soul though, it looks like he may just have been caught out in a blatant lie.

NBA professional Matt Barnes, a player for the Memphis Grizzlies team, was speaking with TMZ cameras when asked about his current romantic situation. Rather than opt for a blush-filled no comment, he talked himself into a bit of an awkward situation.

In a video, currently on the TMZ website, Barnes explains that he and Rihanna are in fact very close friends.

“Rihanna’s my friend right now. So we’ll see where it goes… I think it just passed the crush stage.”

In response to these claims, Rihanna, 27,  took to social media to call Matt out for his less than truthful confessions.  As it turns out, she has never even met the man.

Rihanna took a screen shot of Matt’s video and posted it to her Instagram page with a series of hashtags to detail just how far the pair are from ever being involved.

We’re not sure about you but ‘defamation of character’ is a pretty clear response to poor Matt. Lesson learned, don’t pretend to be in a relationship with Rihanna because she will shut you down, and not in a quiet fashion.

Meanwhile Hollywood Life is reporting that Rihanna’s former boyfriend Chris Brown is still not over their break up.

“He misses her. He always has. She’s a good woman and he loves her to death. He thinks she’s drop dead beautiful with a soul that only an angel could have,” an insider has said.

Apparently Chris is turning to Rihanna for support during the drama surrounding his daughter and her mom. According to sources he would love to have Rihanna join him on his tour in the future.