Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi met Antonela Roccuzzo in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina, as children. When Messi found his big break as a teenager, he moved to Barcelona, away from Antonela, to pursue a soccer career.
However, fate had other ideas for the couple. In a tragic car accident in 2005, Roccuzzo’s best friend, Ursula Notz, died. After Messi got to know about this news, he flew back to Argentina. He went back to Rosario to comfort his future bride, according to Argentina’s Para Ti.
In 2019, Roccuzzo posted a series of Instagram Stories to pay tribute to her late friend. It was also to raise awareness about traffic accidents in Rosario.
“Absences are felt in everyday life, on birthdays, on anniversaries, at parties. Absences are disturbing,” she wrote in Spanish. “When we understand that we will no longer listen to that voice that accompanied us, absences transform, being able to turn pain into action, but knowing that we will never be the same as before. Absences guide us. Absences hurt, but they also relaunch us.”
The couple had two children before they tied the knot in 2017. A year later, they welcomed their third child.
Who are Lionel Messi’s Children?
Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo have three children, all of them boys. They count Barcelona as their birthplace as Messi was playing for the La Liga giants at the time.
Thiago, the eldest, is nine. He was born on November 2, 2012, in Dexeus hospital in Spain. Messi announced the couple’s first pregnancy in a win against Ecuador. He placed the ball under his shirt after scoring in Argentina’s 4-0 win.
The Middle child, Mateo, is seven. He was born on September 11, 2015, in Barcelona. He is the child Messi’s fans love most because of his jokes. He sometimes celebrates Real Madrid’s goals just to irritate Thiago.
The youngest, Ciro, is four. He was born on March 10, 2018, just three months after Messi and Antonela’s marriage.
The royal FAMILY 😎#Messi#Antonella pic.twitter.com/Of5Jf3UCj0
— PAU (@PaKCar1975) December 19, 2022
Since Messi made the move to Paris Saint-Germain, it made sense for him to decide to enroll Mateo and Thiago in their academy.
Lionel Messi poses with Wife and Children after World Cup Win
Messi and Roccuzzo are truly childhood sweethearts and it shows when Messi talks about her.
“My wife, Antonela, has lots of great qualities,” Messi had told FC Barcelona once. “I really admire how she deals with the day-to-day, she is always in a good mood and she approaches problems admirably. She is highly intelligent and well rounded in all aspects of life.”
messi & antonella the true meaning of iconic love story pic.twitter.com/CWavBvB0k7
— Kh. (@khalidawyy) December 18, 2022
The 34-year-old Argentine model and dietician is also extremely supportive of Messi’s career. She is regularly seen at stadiums with her kids cheering on for Messi.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 final was no different. Messi’s family was there to watch him conquer the world. He posed with his wife and children after the World Cup win. The heartwarming picture has gone viral on social media. Many have claimed that Messi won football and life as well.