Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (2024)

The relationship between Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo is proof that love exists. Their love story began in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina, when they were kids. Their relationship evolved over the years, surviving distance and culminating in their marriage and the birth of their three beautiful children.

When Messi moved to Europe in order to pursue his soccer career, both him and Antonela thought that their relationship was over, nothing more than a beautiful memory. But a personal tragedy brought them back together, prompting Messi to return to Argentina in order to be with Antonela as she coped with the weight of her loss. They haven’t been apart since.

Now, the couple has another great triumph to celebrate, as ‘La Pulga’ has won the third World Cup for Argentina in Qatar 2022. For Messi, this is his fifth World Cup. For more than 15 years, Antonela has cheered him on, from Germany in 2006, South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018 and now for Qatar 2022, in which he made her and a whole nation excited and proud while becoming the best player in the World Cup.

RELATED:

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (1)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo met when they were just kids...who would have thought that more than 20 years later, they would be together and celebrating the third Argentine World Cup win in Qatar. As soon as the match against France ended, Antonela quickly joined her husband, the father of her three kids, on the field of the Lusail Stadium to celebrate one of his most significant accomplishments of all time.

Lionel Messi y su esposa Antonela Roccuzzo con sus tres hijos

The couple’s three sons joined them in the exciting celebration: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. All were overwhelmed with emotion to see their father and the Argentine team lift the Cup as World Cup champions.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (3)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Summer love

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo met when they were kids, thanks to Lucas Scaglia.

Lucas and Lionel were players at Newell’s Old Boys, the children’s soccer and became close friends. Lucas was Antonela’s cousin and one summer he invited Messi to spend vacations with his family.

At the age of 9, Lionel and Antonela fell in love.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (4)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo

When they were kids, Lionel and Antonela used to play on the streets with their friends, like many other kids their age. Still, their love for each other existed and prevailed over the years.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (5)© @antonellaroccuzzo

Leo Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo

When he was 11 years old, Messi received devastating news: he was diagnosed with a growth hormone disorder, something that put his dreams of becoming a professional soccer player at risk. His father, Jorge Messi, did everything he could to get a team to sign Messi and to pay for his medical treatment.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (6)© @leomessi

Leo Messi

Leo left to Spain to follow his dreams, being signed by the children’s division of FC Barcelona. Over the years, Messi earned status in the club, quickly growing into one of the most emblematic figures in soccer history. Still, he couldn’t help but think about Antonela, who was still in Rosario.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (7)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Antonela Roccuzzo

Per Vanity Fair, Antonela studied dental medicine in her hometown. Around that time, Antonela faced a tremendous personal loss; her best friend died in a car crash.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (8)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo

Antonela was devastated. Messi booked a flight to Argentina as soon as he heard the news. The couple reunited and made plans for their future together, with Antonela leaving her old life behind in order to move to Spain and live with Messi.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (9)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo

Antonela moved to Messi’s house in Castelldefels, Barcelona, marking their start of their life as a couple. In June of 2012, they announced that they were expecting their first child together. On November 2, 2012, Thiago Messi was born.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (10)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo alongside their kids

As Messi’s career grew, so did his family. On September 11th, 2015, Mateo, their second son, was born. On March 11th, 2018, their third son, Ciro, was born.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (11)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo get married

On June 30th, 2017, the couple got married, having a beautiful wedding in their hometown of Rosario. They got married at the City Center hotel, with over 260 guests.

Among them were soccer stars like Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Neymar, Sergio Aguero, Samuel Eto’o, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, and more.

Antonela was dressed in Rosa Clará, while Messi wore a Dolce & Gabbana suit.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (12)© @antonelaroccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo

Lionel and Antonela’s love story is beautiful and unique. They’ve been together for most of their lives and have faced adversity and come out stronger for it.

Now that Messi faces a tough and complex situation on a professional level, we’re sure Antonela will be there to provide him with all the support he needs.

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades (2024)

FAQs

Messi & Antonela Roccuzzo: a love that has endured decades? ›

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo's love story is a tale that spans decades, beginning in their childhood and blossoming into a lifelong partnership. The Argentinian football star and the model and influencer have known each other since they were kids, growing up in the same hometown.

Did Messi have a crush on Antonella? ›

Messi and Antonella felt their deeper feelings towards each other, but they chose not to disclose it. Soon, Messi returned to Barcelona, and Antonella began studying dentistry at the National University of Rosario. This relationship was not made until Messi was 21 years old.

How old was Messi when he met Antonella? ›

Lionel Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo met when they were 9 years old through Roccuzzo's cousin.

How did Messi meet Antonela Roccuzzo? ›

They met as children

Roccuzzo met Messi as a young girl in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina, according to Vanity Fair España. They shared a connection through Roccuzzo's cousin, former Argentinian pro soccer player Lucas Scaglia, who played alongside Messi on a youth team.

What religion is Messi? ›

In October 2017, his wife announced they were expecting their third child. Messi and his family are Catholic Christians. Messi enjoys a close relationship with his immediate family members, particularly his mother, Celia, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder.

How many wifes does Messi have? ›

Icon and partner Antonela met as kids and model has supported his incredible career. Throughout Lionel Messi's glistening football career, he has had his wife Antonela Roccuzzo by his side.

What is the age gap between Messi and his wife? ›

Question 2: What is the age difference between Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo? Answer: Lionel Messi is three years older than Antonela Roccuzzo. Messi was born on June 24, 1987, while Roccuzzo was born on February 26, 1988.

How many children does Messi have? ›

Messi and Roccuzzo, who were childhood friends and later reconnected in 2005, welcomed their first son, Thiago, in 2012. Their second son, Mateo, arrived in 2015, followed by their third son, Ciro, in 2018. The athlete later told FC Barcelona that fatherhood changed his entire perspective.

Did Messi only have one girlfriend? ›

Lionel Messi was rumoured to have a couple of girlfriends before he cemented his relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo.

How long is Messi and Antonella been together? ›

Messi and Roccuzzo ultimately rekindle their flame over a decade after they first met, dating in secret for two years before going public with their romance in 2009. 2010: Fourteen years after they first met, Messi and Roccuzzo get engaged in a private ceremony.

Has Messi been married before? ›

How tall is Messi? ›

According to his player profile on their website, Messi's height is listed as 1.7 metres — or 5 foot 7 inches.

Will Messi have more children? ›

Aged 36, Messi does not rule out becoming a father for the fourth time, having already formed a family of five with Antonela. "We would like to have another baby. We're not actively trying to, but let's see if the girl arrives," he mentioned.

Is Messi's wife Catholic? ›

Antonella Roccuzzo is a Roman Catholic, and Lionel Messi is not religious. The couple was married in 2017 in a Catholic ceremony. The couple's religious differences have not been a source of conflict in their relationship. Messi has said that he respects Antonella's faith, and he often attends Catholic mass with her.

Can Messi speak in English? ›

Messi, who spent the first 34 years of his life in Argentina and Spain, has never spoken English publicly — not even in his Super Bowl commercial. At Inter Miami, he almost exclusively speaks in his native tongue, swallowing consonants as ever.

What does Messi's sister do? ›

When did Messi propose to Antonella? ›

According to Vanity Fair España, Roccuzzo ended her postgraduate studies in dentistry at the National University of Rosario and moved to Spain so that she could be with Messi. In 2010, Messi proposed to Roccuzzo and two years later they welcomed their first son, Thiago.

Who has Messi dated? ›

In 2017, Lionel Messi married longtime girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo. They have three children together. This list of Lionel Messi's girlfriends and rumored exes includes Luciana Salazar and Macarena Lemos.

How many kids has Messi? ›

Messi and Roccuzzo, who were childhood friends and later reconnected in 2005, welcomed their first son, Thiago, in 2012. Their second son, Mateo, arrived in 2015, followed by their third son, Ciro, in 2018. The athlete later told FC Barcelona that fatherhood changed his entire perspective.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 5681

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.