Who Is Lionel Messi's Wife? Inside The Icon's Private Family Life With Antonela Roccuzzo And 3 Kids

Lionel Messi has done it again! In his first match itself, he showed why he is one of the GOATs (Greatest of All Time) of football. The 38-year-old captain scored a stunning hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 demolition of Algeria in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, matching Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record and becoming just the second player to score in five different editions of the tournament after Cristiano Rolado.

While global Argentine fans are celebrating this historic victory, the woman who has stood by his side through the legendary milestones of Messi's career has again stolen the spotlight. That woman is none other than his childhood sweetheart-turned-wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. Their love story is one for the books.

Lionel and Antonela's story began in childhood

Messi and Antonela first met when they were children in Rosario. While the exact age remains a topic of debate, he was somewhere between five and nine years old when he met his childhood sweetheart. Antonela was the cousin of Messi's childhood best friend, Lucas Scaglia. Even at that age, the future football superstar reportedly had a crush on her, and he kept frequenting her cousin Lucas' place when she visited them. Neither had any idea that destiny had already sealed their future in that first meeting.

Both Lionel and Antonela grew up in the same town of Rosario, Argentina. However, their lives took different paths when Messi moved to Spain as a teenager to join Barcelona's famous La Masia academy. Despite the distance, the two never truly lost contact and remained connected over the years. Even miles apart, they were ready to be by each other's side whenever something major happened.

One remarkable milestone in the relationship came in 2005 when tragedy brought them together. Messi immediately returned to Argentina to be by Antonela's side after she lost one of her closest friends in a fatal accident. His presence in that difficult moment brought them closer, and eventually, the couple embarked on a long-distance romance, determined to stay together through thick and thin.

When Messi introduced Antonela as his girlfriend in front of the world

They say childhood romances and long-distance relationships don't last. But for Lionel and Antonela, the odds never stood a chance. For years, the couple kept their relationship largely private, and in 2009, the football star publicly acknowledged Antonela as his 'girlfriend.' During an appearance on TV3's football chat show Hat Trick Barca, when asked if he was in a relationship, Messi said:

"Yes, I have a girlfriend. She is in Argentina. The truth is that I am well and I am relaxed."

Inside Lionel and Antonela's fairytale wedding

At this point, Antonela had been an unofficial wife to the football icon, having endured everything together. After nearly a decade of romance, Messi finally made Antonela his legal wife in one of the most memorable celebrity weddings. The couple officially tied the knot on June 30, 2017, and according to a report by The Screen, top footballers worldwide flew to Argentina to be a part of the celebrations.

The wedding took place in Rosario, the city where their love story began, and quickly became one of Argentina's most talked-about celebrity events. The ceremony was attended by football stars, friends, and family, with many media outlets dubbing it the "wedding of the century."

So, who is Antonela Roccuzzo?

Messi might be hailed as one of the best players football has ever seen, but Antonela has become a star in her own right. Born on February 26, 1988, in Rosario, Argentina, the same city Messi grew up in, she’s now a successful model, entrepreneur, influencer, and philanthropist with almost 40 million followers on Instagram.

The mother of three has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world over the years and has also been involved in numerous charitable causes, including campaigns with UNICEF and the Special Olympics. Messi himself has spoken about how much he admires his hugely talented wife, revealing in interviews how her positive outlook on life and head-on approach to balancing family life with her professional career have kept the football icon grounded.

Inside Lionel and Antonela's family life with kids

Today, Messi and Antonela are proud parents to three children. Their eldest son, Thiago, was born in November 2012 and has already shown an interest in football. Three years later, they welcomed Mateo in September 2015. Mateo is known among fans for his playful personality, and he often becomes the centre of attention in family videos and celebrations. The couple's youngest son, Ciro, was born in March 2018, completing their family of five.

In 2023, the family moved to the United States when Messi signed for Inter Miami, beginning a new life together in Florida. As the family grew, Antonela put her family first, but has also credited Messi’s support for allowing her to follow her own interests outside the home, saying that his encouragement has been a major factor in her personal development.

Lionel and Antonela's relationship has become as inspiring as his achievements on the pitch, and their journey to becoming lifelong partners continues to capture millions of hearts across the world!

Images: Facebook, Leo Messi/Instagram, Antonela Roccuzzo/Instagram

Read Next: Kyle Busch's Wife, Samantha To Get The Racer's Entire Property After His Unexpected Death At 41

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)