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.
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© @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.
© @antonelaroccuzzo
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.
© @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.
© @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.
© @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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
© @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.
© @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.
© @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.
© @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.
