A dentist, model and mother of three sons, she is Lionel Messi's first love and the emotional pillar of the family behind one of the most beautiful stories in world football.
Antonela Roccuzzo, the wife of Lionel Messi, is often described as one of the most educated and beautiful women in the world of sports. She grew up in Rosario, the third largest city in Argentina, in the same neighborhood where Lionel Messi spent his childhood. Their story is much more than a love story, it is a story of friendship, love that lasts for decades and mutual support.
Antonela and Messi have known each other since childhood, and their paths crossed through Messi's friend Lucas Scaglia, who was also Antonela's cousin and played with Messi in the youth teams of Newell's Old Boys. It is said that from the beginning they were very close friends, while love developed naturally, step by step, as they grew up together in their hometown. Family friends often say that their relationship has always been quiet, away from scandals and unnecessary public attention, reports the Telegraph.
Love that lasts for decades
The couple first went public with their relationship in 2009, after the Barcelona-Espanyol match, when they appeared together at a festival in Sitges. Years later, in various interviews, they have shown that their feelings were built slowly, on the foundations of friendship and mutual respect.
In 2017, Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo married in a lavish ceremony in Rosario, which the media called “the Argentine wedding of the century.” Among the guests were many world-famous stars, including Shakira and Gerard Piqué, Messi’s former teammate. Today, the couple has three sons: Thiago (born in 2012), Mateo (2015) and Ciro (2018). All three boys seem to have inherited their father’s passion for football, while the eldest, Thiago, is now training with Inter Miami’s junior teams. Those who know them closely say that Thiago is the calmer and more measured, Mateo the most energetic and joker of the family, while Ciro is the “little darling,” who always brings life to the house.
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Antonela is known for her extraordinary dedication to her role as a mother and has often emphasized that her children are her absolute priority. She and Messi try to offer them as normal a childhood as possible, away from the pressure of fame and cameras, while maintaining a simple and family lifestyle, despite their wealth and status.
Antonela Roccuzzo – educated, successful and dedicated
Antonela is not only the partner of a football legend, she is also a highly educated woman. After completing her basic studies in the field of humanities and social sciences, she decided to continue her postgraduate studies in dentistry and graduated as Master of Dentistry.
Although she decided to put her academic ambitions on the back burner to be with Messi, Antonela managed to combine professional and family life. She moved from Argentina to Barcelona, where she was close to Lionel Messi during his most successful years, while also building her own professional and public profile. For many years, she refused to use her husband's fame for personal publicity, only later accepting selected collaborations with major international brands.
Model, influencer and fitness enthusiast
Antonela is also a well-known model, who has collaborated with many major international brands. On Instagram she counts over 40 million followers, while her popularity is not only related to her appearance, but also to her healthy lifestyle and commitment to physical activity. She often publishes photos from the gym, many times together with Messi, promoting discipline, perseverance and body care.
Friends describe him as a very simple person, not a snob, and as the man who manages to keep the family together and Messi's life balanced, away from the chaos of fame and constant media pressure.
Pride and support in Messi's successes
When Lionel Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Antonela was by his side, cheering him on from the stands. After the dramatic final against France, which ended 3-3 and then Argentina won 4-2 on penalties, Antonela sent an emotional message to her husband, highlighting his perseverance, effort and inspiring fight to the end.
For Antonela, Messi's success is not just a sporting victory, it is proof of mutual support, love and the strength to overcome all life's challenges together. Friends of the couple often say that Messi considers Antonela the only person who truly calms him down before big matches and important decisions.
The perfect combination of beauty, intelligence and love
Today, Antonela is much more than "the wife of a football legend", she is a symbol of the modern woman who manages to balance family, career and public life. Her story shows that it is possible to unite education, personal discipline, family and love, and that true support can make even the biggest dreams come true. /Telegraph/
