Argentina captain Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest football player of all time. He is best known for his time with FC Barcelona, where he led the Spanish giants to unprecedented heights. The 5-foot-7 forward also led his country to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
After spending the last two seasons with French club Paris Saint-Germain, Messi recently joined MLS side Inter Miami this past summer.
Aside from his on-field prowess, Messi is known for being family-oriented, with most of his free time devoted to his three children and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, whom he has known since childhood.
Let's take a deep dive into Lionel Messi's family.
Lionel Messi's Wife: Antonela Roccuzzo
Messi has been married to Antonela Roccuzzo since June 30, 2017, but they have known each other way before that.
Both Messi and Roccuzzo hail from Rosario, Argentina. The footballer first encountered her during childhood through his friend and Newell's Old Boys teammate, Lucas Scaglia, who happened to be Roccuzzo's cousin.
After Messi left for Spain at 13 in 2000 to pursue his football career, several years passed before the two reconnected.
Their paths crossed again in 2005 following a tragic event: the death of Roccuzzo's best friend, Ursula Notz, in a car accident. Learning of the news, Messi promptly flew back to Argentina from Spain to offer comfort.
The couple confirmed their relationship in 2009, just as Messi began establishing himself as the world's best footballer.
They are now proud parents to three sons. Thiago, their first child, was born in 2012, followed by Mateo in 2015 and Ciro in 2018.
Antonela and their children have frequently supported Messi, from his days at FC Barcelona to his current club, Inter Miami. They were also in attendance in Qatar when Messi lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Lionel Messi's Family
Messi was born on June 24, 1987, to Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini. Jorge was employed in a steel factory, while Celia worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has two older siblings, Rodrigo and Matias, and a younger sister, Maria Sol.
The former FC Barcelona forward operates in a familial business setup for his professional endeavors. His father has served as his agent since he was 14, while Rodrigo oversees his daily schedule and public relations.
In addition, his mother and Matías oversee his charitable organization, the Leo Messi Foundation, and handle personal and professional affairs in their hometown of Rosario.
One of the most significant influences in Messi's football journey was his maternal grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches. She passed away in 1998, and Messi has consistently celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky as a heartfelt tribute to his beloved grandmother.
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