In a world where love stories are as diverse as the stars in the sky, few are as captivating and enduring as those of Lionel Messi, 37, and Antonela Roccuzzo.

But what is it about their relationship that has kept fans entranced for decades? The tale of Messi, often celebrated as one of the greatest soccer players to ever grace the field, and Antonela, 36, a model and influencer, goes beyond mere celebrity allure—it is a testament to friendship that blossomed into a lifelong partnership.

Lionel Messi’s Wife Antonela Roccuzzo: Early Connections and Reunions

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo have known each other since they were kids, connected through Antonela’s cousin, former pro soccer player Lucas Scaglia. Messi, enchanted by Antonela, often visited Scaglia's family home to spend time with her. However, their paths diverged when Messi moved to Spain at 13 to pursue his soccer career with FC Barcelona.

They reconnected in the early 2000s, and by 2009, Messi confirmed their relationship in an interview, keeping things largely under wraps until they were photographed together in 2010 while vacationing in Rio de Janeiro.

Lionel Messi and his Family With Antonela Roccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo welcomed their first son, Thiago, on November 2, 2012. The former celebrated his arrival with heartfelt tattoos of Thiago’s name and handprints. In a 2013 interview (via sports website Marca), he shared how fatherhood transformed his priorities, stating, “He’s the most important thing to me now.”

They welcomed their second son, Mateo, on September 11, 2015, and Messi described the birth of his children as “life-changing” (per Sports Illustrated). Fast forward to September 2023, and Antonela celebrated Mateo’s eighth birthday with a sweet Instagram post: “Happy birthday boy❤️We love you infinitely Matu.”

Lionel Messi’s Wedding

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo’s wedding in June 2017 was dubbed “the wedding of the century” by Clarín. The celebration, held at a hotel and casino in Rosario, attracted many celebrities, including soccer stars like Gerard Piqué and his then-partner Shakira. Fans gathered at the airport, eager to catch a glimpse of the star-studded guests.

Their family grew with the birth of their third son, Ciro, in March 2018. Antonela often shares her love for her boys on Instagram, proudly displaying tattoos of their names.

In July 2023, the couple made headlines again when Messi joined Major League Soccer after his legendary tenure with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. According to The Real Deal, they purchased a stunning $11 million waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale.

In a September 2023 interview, Messi hinted at the possibility of expanding their family, saying (via Hola! reported), “We’d like to have a baby again.”

Antonela Roccuzzo and their children continue to support Messi’s career, recently attending one of his games where Argentina triumphed over Canada 2-0, marking a significant moment in his Copa America journey.