As a professional soccer player with an impressive $600 million net worth, Lionel Messi’s incredible achievements on the field have been widely documented.
From winning multiple Ballon d’Or awards to breaking goal-scoring records, there seems to be no end to his success.
But behind every great man is an even greater woman, and for Messi, that woman is his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo.
Antonela Roccuzzo with her taller husband Lionel Messi on the red carpet during the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards on May 8, 2023, in Paris, France (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
As Messi’s career has taken him to new heights, Roccuzzo has been a constant presence in his life, sharing his victories and supporting him through his challenges.
Their love story has captivated the world, leaving fans curious about how they met and fell in love.
Let’s delve into the details of their relationship, exploring how the world’s highest-paid soccer player found his soul mate.
How Lionel Messi Became a Football Superstar
Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi is a force to be reckoned with on the football field. Growing up in a modest family, Messi’s parents worked hard to make ends meet.
His mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, was a part-time cleaner, and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, was a steelworker in a factory. Messi has a sister, Maria Sol, and two elder brothers, Rodrigo and Matias.
The family was close-knit and often played soccer with their cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, who both play professional football. He was an exceptional player from a young age, joining the Rosario soccer club at just six years old.
Messi made his league debut for FC Barcelona against RCD Espanyol at 17, making him the third-youngest player in the club’s history. He received his Spanish citizenship during the 2005-2006 season and started receiving compensation as a first-team member.
Lionel Messi, the Argentine-born professional athlete with a net worth of $600 million, is widely hailed as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, earning a reputation as the best in the world (Credit: Le Pictorium / Cover Images)
After scoring alongside superstar Ronaldinho in his first match, Messi was applauded with a standing ovation and continued to make history throughout his career.
He eventually won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, after which he continued to win thrice consecutively. He also won an Olympic gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 2008.
In 2014, he led Argentina to the World Cup finals and earned the Golden Ball. Messi won a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019, cementing his status as one of the greatest players ever.
His success has come with challenges. In 2016, Messi declared his retirement from international soccer, but he later changed his mind and helped Argentina qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
At the 2019 Copa America, they came in third. And finally, after years of waiting, Messi and his colleagues won the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France on December 18, with Messi scoring two goals.
Meet Antonela Roccuzzo: The Woman Who Stole Lionel Messi’s Heart
Lionel Messi has happily married his childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo since June 2017. They have three children named Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, born in 2012, 2015, and 2018 respectively.
Antonela Roccuzzo was born on February 26, 1988, in Rosario, Argentina, to parents José Roccuzzo and Patricia Blanco, who own a supermarket chain called Unico.
Although she was born into wealth, Roccuzzo had a humble upbringing and preferred spending time with her two sisters and childhood friends.
Lionel Messi has been happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Antonela Roccuzzo, since June 2017, and together they have three children – Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro – born in 2012, 2015, and 2018 (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
According to Vanity Fair España, she attended the National University of Rosario, where Roccuzzo completed a bachelor’s degree in humanities and social sciences before beginning her postgraduate studies in dentistry. However, she dropped out of her studies to move closer to Messi.
Roccuzzo had always maintained a low profile and avoided public appearances, making it difficult for the media to capture an image of her with Messi when they first started dating.
A source told the outlet, “She has always had a low profile. When it became known that she was dating Messi, during the World Cup in South Africa, they had already been together for more than three years and it was very difficult to capture an image of Antonela.”
Roccuzzo has a whopping net worth of $20 million and is a successful entrepreneur in her own right, collaborating with top brands like Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana, and Stella McCartney. Roccuzzo also has a massive following on Instagram, with over 37 million followers.
Joined by her husband, Lionel Messi, Antonela Roccuzzo donned an elegant black dress designed by Dolce & Gabbana complemented by a striking red rose-shaped bag at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 on February 27, 2023, in Paris, France (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
In 2017, she worked on a project with footwear company Sarkany alongside fellow WAG Sofía Balbi, the wife of Luis Suárez, another football player. However, they closed the project located in Barcelona in 2019 to dedicate themselves full-time to their children and families.
Despite that, Roccuzzo has made a splash in the fashion industry, attending major fashion shows for brands like Dior, Guerlain, and Louis Vuitton.
Is Lionel Messi Taller Than Antonela Roccuzzo?
Yes, Lionel Messi appears to be taller than his wife of almost six years, Antonela Roccuzzo. Messi stands 5 feet 6 ½ inches (168.9 cm) tall, while Roccuzzo towers 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm).
It means the 35-year-old footballer is significantly taller than his 34-year-old wife, with a height difference of 4 ½ inches.
Interestingly, Messi’s height, which was due to his growth hormone deficiency, may contribute to his ability to perform those incredible twists and turns as he embarks on a regular merry run. However, it may also explain why he rarely scores with his head.
Lionel Messi’s height is reported to be around 5ft 6 ½in (168.9 cm), while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, is said to be approximately 5ft 2in (157 cm) tall, resulting in a height difference of roughly 4 ½ inches (11.9 cm) between the two (Credit: Szwarc Henri / Abaca / Instarimages)
When Messi was just ten years old, his father could no longer pay for his medical care, and he was forced to rely on his athletic prowess to survive his condition.
Then, Barcelona took notice of his potential and signed him at 13, agreeing to pay for his growth hormone treatment.
How Did Lionel Messi Meet Antonela Roccuzzo?
Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo met when they were just children in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina, thanks to Lucas Scaglia, a mutual friend and teammate at Newell’s Old Boys soccer club.
Messi and Scaglia quickly became close, and Roccuzzo, who happens to be Scaglia’s cousin, soon entered the picture. The future soccer legend first met Roccuzzo when Scaglia invited him to spend the holidays with his family.
Even at a young age, Messi was smitten with her, but their budding romance was put on hold when he left home at 13 to pursue his soccer training in Spain. It wasn’t until tragedy struck that the two reconnected.
When Ursula Notz, Roccuzzo’s best friend, passed away in a tragic car accident, Messi flew back to Argentina to console her. The two realized that their connection was still strong, and they began dating in secret before publicly announcing their relationship in 2009.
Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo greet the press after their civil wedding ceremony at the City Center Rosario Hotel & Casino on June 30, 2017, in Rosario, Argentina (Credit: Jose Almeida / Picture-Alliance / Cover Images)
In an interview with Marca in October 2019, when asked about what he admires the most about his wife, the soccer star gushed, “The truth is that [I admire] everything [about Antonela].”
Messi shared, “She has many good qualities: how she gets by on a daily basis; her personality; she is always in a good mood; and she always faces up to problems in an admirable way. She is a very intelligent person who is great in all aspects of life.”
In 2010, Messi proposed to Roccuzzo, and the couple made their first pregnancy announcement in 2012 and later welcomed their son, Thiago, on November 2.
Mateo followed on September 11, 2015, and Ciro was born on March 11, 2018, a year after the couple married, completing their happy family.
On June 30, 2017, Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo exchanged their vows in the place where they first met, in a star-studded ceremony at a luxurious five-star hotel and casino.
The event was dubbed the “wedding of the century,” with the presence of Messi’s teammates and his former colleague Gerard Piqué and his ex-partner Shakira.
Lionel Messi with his girlfriend Antonela Roccuzzo shopping at Dolce & Gabbana in Corso Venezia, Milan, Italy, on May 14, 2013 (Credit: INFphoto)
Speaking about the grand wedding, Enrique Domínguez, Messi’s former coach, told CNN at the time, “That he chose his city, to choose Rosario to come to marry, to bring his companions of Barcelona and other guests to discover the city that saw him grow … it’s just who Leo is. A guy with affection, with memory, a grateful guy because being who he is, he could have been married in the best place in the world.”
Despite his hectic schedule and demanding career, Messi prioritizes his family above all else.
When asked about being a father, the football star told Marca (via FC Barcelona), “You grow and you learn. You gather experience in all aspects of life, on and off the field. But, as a human being, having three children changed my perspective on life, my way of thinking and it also helped me grow.”
Messi added, “Even though there are few moments of respite at home with three kids, [Antonela and I] try to enjoy every second with them, whether it is watching the TV, playing or whatever. We like to stay at home and enjoy these moments.”
How Antonela Roccuzzo Supports Lionel Messi In His Football Career
Antonela Roccuzzo is not just the wife of Lionel Messi. She’s also his biggest supporter and crucial to his success story.
Roccuzzo’s unwavering support was on full display during the 2022 World Cup championship, where she and the couple’s three sons were cheering Messi on from the stands.
In a social media post before the final match, Roccuzzo shared a picture of herself with Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, all donning jerseys with Messi’s number, and captioned it with an enthusiastic call to action for the Argentine team.
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She wrote, “I CANT EXPLAIN IT BECAUSE YOU WONT UNDERSTAND!!!!. 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷 LET’S GO ARGENTINA!!! LETS GO @leomessi !!!!!”
After Argentina’s victory over France, Roccuzzo and their children joined Messi on the field for celebratory hugs and photos. And she couldn’t help but share several heartwarming pictures of the family celebrating.
In an Instagram post, Roccuzzo expressed her pride and gratitude for Messi’s dedication to his team and unrelenting spirit.
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Roccuzzo captioned, “I don’t even know how to start. What a great pride we feel for you @leomessi Thank you for teaching us to never give up, that we have to fight it until the end IT WAS FINALLY DONE YOU ARE A WORLD CHAMPION, we know what you suffered for so many years, what you wanted to achieve this!!!”