Lionel Messi, one of soccer’s greatest icons, shares a love story with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, that began when he was just nine years old. Their journey, marked by distance, heartbreak, and devotion, has captured the hearts of fans worldwide, proving that true love can withstand even the challenges of fame and separation.
Love At First Sight, Separation, & Reunion: The Story Of Messi & Antonela
Messi first met Antonela at his friend Lucas's home in Rosario, Argentina. From that initial meeting, Messi frequently visited Lucas, drawn to spending time with Antonella. The youn
Lionel Messi, one of soccer’s greatest icons, shares a love story with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, that began when he was just nine years old. Their journey, marked by distance, heartbreak, and devotion, has captured the hearts of fans worldwide, proving that true love can withstand even the challenges of fame and separation.
Love At First Sight, Separation, & Reunion: The Story Of Messi & Antonela
Messi first met Antonela at his friend Lucas's home in Rosario, Argentina. From that initial meeting, Messi frequently visited Lucas, drawn to spending time with Antonella. The young Messi quickly fell in love, and in a heartfelt letter to her, he wrote of his dreams for their future, saying, “One day, we will get engaged.”
But in 2000, Messi’s father, Jorge, decided to move the family to Barcelona to support Messi’s budding soccer career, leading to a separation for the young couple. Although they tried to stay in touch, distance slowly faded their communication. Despite Messi’s rising fame in soccer, he often thought of Antonella, who had remained in Rosario.
In 2005, tragedy struck when a close friend of Antonella's lost their life in a traffic accident. At the time, Antonela was just 17, grappling with the weight of her emotions. When Messi learnt of her loss, he immediately returned to Argentina to be by her side, marking a turning point in their relationship. This moment brought them closer, and they began to acknowledge the depth of their feelings for one another. While Messi’s career flourished in Spain, Antonella pursued studies in dentistry at the National University of Rosario.
Their relationship remained private until July 20, 2007, when Antonela confided in a friend. Messi later confirmed their romance publicly in a 2009 interview, ending years of speculation and secrecy.
And Finally, 'Wedding of the Century'
The couple welcomed their first child in 2012, and in June 2017, they celebrated their love in a grand wedding in Rosario, hailed by the Argentine newspaper Clarín as “the wedding of the century.” Surrounded by friends, family, and fellow soccer stars, Messi expressed his admiration for Antonella, praising her unwavering support throughout his career. Despite Messi’s spotlight, Antonella has stayed grounded, even admitting that she finds football rather uninteresting.
Today, Messi and Antonela share three sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. In July 2023, they made a major move to Miami, where Messi continues his soccer career while their family embarks on a new chapter.
From childhood sweethearts to life partners, Messi and Antonela’s love story has endured, growing with every challenge and milestone. See how Messi treats her as his "Princess" to date.
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