Lionel Messi Family: Meet the Soccer Star’s Wife and Kids

For a man who has won everything in soccer, Lionel Messi’s greatest victory isn’t a trophy you can hold. It began long before the sold-out stadiums and global fame, rooted in a connection that started when he was just nine years old, forming the foundation of his entire world.

The incredible Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo love story starts not under the spotlight, but in their shared hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Answering the question of how Messi met his wife takes us back to a simple childhood visit. He was at the home of his friend and soccer teammate, Lucas Scaglia, when he was introduced to his friend’s cousin: an eight-year-old Antonela.

According to widely shared accounts of their history, the future superstar was reportedly smitten from that very first meeting. This early encounter planted the seeds for the story of Messi and his childhood sweetheart, creating a bond that would define their lives decades later.

Of course, their path wasn’t a straight line. As a teenager, Messi’s immense talent took him across the Atlantic to Spain to train, while Antonela remained in Argentina to continue her studies. Though separated by distance for years, they reconnected in the late 2000s, and their childhood friendship finally blossomed into a lasting romance.

This deep, shared history from Rosario is the bedrock of their family today. It’s a real-life fairytale that proves his most important team has always been the one waiting for him right at home.

Who Is Antonela Roccuzzo? Meet the Model, Businesswoman, and Messi’s Rock

While the world knows her as Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo is a successful and influential figure in her own right. Long before she became a familiar face in stadium VIP boxes, she was building a life of her own, grounded in her own ambitions. Today, she is best known as a model and businesswoman with a massive social media following.

Her path, however, wasn’t always aimed at the fashion world. Back in Argentina, Antonela pursued higher education, initially studying to become a dentist at the National University of Rosario. She later switched her focus to social communication, showcasing an early drive and intellectual curiosity that defined her long before her life became a global headline.

Though her plans changed when she moved to Spain to support Messi’s career, Antonela cultivated her own professional identity. She has since worked with numerous high-end fashion brands as a model and has embarked on entrepreneurial ventures, demonstrating a sharp business sense that complements her public profile. She has proven to be far more than just a supportive partner.

Still, her most visible role is that of Messi’s steadfast supporter. Fans instantly recognize her cheering passionately from the sidelines with their three sons, a constant presence through every victory and defeat. This unwavering bond, which started in their childhood, was officially celebrated when the couple returned to their hometown to get married.

Inside ‘The Wedding of the Century’: How Messi Married His Childhood Sweetheart

On June 30, 2017, Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo brought their incredible love story full circle. In a move that captured the hearts of fans worldwide, they chose to marry not in a distant, glamorous city, but back in their shared hometown of Rosario, Argentina. The decision to celebrate where their story first began gave the event a deeply personal and sentimental touch.

Despite its intimate roots, the wedding was a massive affair, quickly dubbed Argentina’s “wedding of the century.” More than 250 guests, including soccer’s biggest stars and celebrities like the singer Shakira, flew into the city to celebrate. The venue, a luxury hotel complex called City Center Rosario, was surrounded by hundreds of journalists and protected by intense security, turning the local event into a global headline.

Every detail reflected a blend of personal taste and star-powered glamour. Antonela walked down the aisle in a stunning, custom-designed gown by Spanish designer Rosa Clará, an exclusive look that was kept a closely guarded secret until the ceremony. The event was a perfect marriage of hometown loyalty and the international fame they had achieved.

To permanently mark their commitment, the couple revealed a beautiful and lasting symbol of their union: matching tattoos. Both Messi and Antonela had their wedding date, XXX-VI-XVII, inked in Roman numerals. It was a private tribute to a very public love story, solidifying the foundation of the family they were building together.

How Many Children Does Lionel Messi Have? Meet Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro

Beyond the story of their marriage, Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo are dedicated parents to a lively household of three boys. The couple welcomed their sons over a six-year period, growing their family while Messi’s career reached incredible heights. Today, the three young boys are a central part of the Messi story and are often seen cheering enthusiastically from the stands.

To answer the big question directly: Lionel Messi has three sons. Their full names and birth years are:

• Thiago Messi Roccuzzo (born 2012)
• Mateo Messi Roccuzzo (born 2015)
• Ciro Messi Roccuzzo (born 2018)

With just a few years separating each of them, the three brothers make for a close-knit and energetic trio. While they share their parents’ famous last name, fans have come to learn that each boy has a surprisingly distinct and entertaining personality, which Messi himself loves to talk about.

Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro: What Are Messi’s Three Sons Really Like?

While they may share their father’s famous name and love for soccer, Messi’s three sons have wildly different personalities. In interviews, both Lionel and Antonela have painted a funny and relatable picture of their household, revealing that each boy brings a unique energy to the family. Far from being a quiet trio, their distinct characters create a lively and loving dynamic that grounds the global superstar.

Thiago, the oldest, is often described as the most like his father in temperament. He is said to be calm, sensitive, and thoughtful. While he enjoys playing soccer, he is reportedly more reserved and less intensely competitive than his dad. Messi has shared that Thiago truly feels the pressure of the games, getting nervous for his father and celebrating his wins with genuine joy.

In complete contrast, middle child Mateo is the family’s lovable troublemaker. Messi has laughingly told stories about Mateo’s mischievous and fiercely competitive nature. In one famous anecdote, Messi revealed that to annoy his older brother, Mateo will celebrate goals scored by rival teams when they watch matches together. His fiery and playful personality makes him a fan favorite and a frequent star of the family’s social media posts.

The youngest, Ciro, is still finding his place between his two older brothers, but Messi describes him as having a strong character of his own. As a father, Messi embraces their differences, encouraging their passions whether they are on a soccer field or not. He often speaks about the challenge and joy of raising three very different boys, making it clear that his role as a dad is the one he cherishes most.

From Europe to the USA: A Look Inside the Messi Family’s New Life in Miami

After more than two decades playing in the intense spotlight of European soccer, the Messi family embarked on a new chapter in 2023 with a move to Miami. Lionel’s decision to join the American club Inter Miami was widely seen as a choice made not just for his career, but for his family’s quality of life. The move represented a significant shift, trading the historic cities of Barcelona and Paris for the vibrant, sun-drenched culture of South Florida.

This change has allowed the family to embrace a more public-facing, yet relaxed, lifestyle. Unlike their more private existence in Europe, the Messis are frequently seen enjoying their new city. They’ve been spotted everywhere from local grocery stores to youth soccer games, giving fans a glimpse of their day-to-day life and showing their commitment to integrating into the community.

For Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, the move also brought them closer to their father’s work in a very direct way. All three sons were enrolled in the Inter Miami youth academy, allowing them to develop their own skills just a stone’s throw away from where their dad trains. This shared passion for the sport has become a visible, unifying activity for the family in their new home.

Ultimately, the relocation to the United States seems to have been a decision centered on balance and well-being. By choosing Miami, Messi placed his family’s happiness at the forefront, proving that his role as a husband and father shapes the final seasons of his legendary career just as much as any goal or trophy.

Why His Family Is Lionel Messi’s Greatest Trophy

Before, it was easy to see Lionel Messi as a figure defined by superhuman skill and a stadium full of roaring fans. Now, you can see the steady, quiet world that makes it all possible: a life built with his childhood sweetheart, Antonela Roccuzzo, and filled with the joy of their three sons.

This isn’t just a background story; it is the foundation. The unwavering support of the Lionel Messi family provides the balance for a life lived under immense pressure. They are his anchor, grounding him in a reality far more important than any championship match or trophy.

This shift in priority is something Messi himself pinpointed. As a young player, a loss could mean days of silence. But his perspective on being Messi as a father changed everything. He once explained, “After my first son was born, I began to see things differently.” Winning was no longer everything.

So the next time you see him celebrate a goal, pointing to the sky or searching the stands, you’ll know what you’re truly seeing. Not just a legendary athlete, but a husband and father whose greatest prize is, and always has been, waiting for him at home.