The long distance couldn't stop Lionel Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo from falling in love.
The professional soccer star and Roccuzzo met as children and although Messi eventually left Argentina to pursue sport, he accepted the tragedy and eventually fell in love.
The couple welcomed two children before marrying in 2017. The following year, Roccuzzo gave birth to their third child.
Barcelona's Messi said: "My wife Antoni has very good qualities." I admire how Antonella copes with everyday life, Antonella is always in a good mood and Antonella has a good approach to problems. Antonella is very intelligent and balanced in all aspects of life."
Roccuzzo is also a strong supporter of Messi's career. The model often praises her husband at soccer matches, including on December 13, 2022, when Antonella Messi and the Argentine soccer nation celebrated the World Cup final with an Instagram post. A few days later, Roccuzzo and his three sons stood in the stands to watch Messi win the 2022 World Cup.
Here's everything you need to know about Lionel Messi's wife Antonella Roccuzzo.
Antonella met Messi as a child.
The two met as children in Rosario, Argentina. When Messi was young, he moved to Spain to continue his football career.
Antonella and Lionel got married after the show.
In 2005, Roccuzzo's best friend Ursula Knot died in a car accident. Argentina's Para Ti said that Messi, who heard the news, returned to Argentina from Spain to comfort his wife-to-be.
In 2019, Roccuzzo paid tribute to his late friend in a series of Instagram stories to raise awareness of traffic accidents in Rosario.
“In everyday life you see losses on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. "Absence has no value," wrote Antonella in Spanish. “When we realize that I no longer listen to that voice that follows us, the absence changes to turn the pain into action, but you realize we are never the same again.” Poverty rules us. "Absence hurts, but it also gives us satisfaction."
Antonella went to college in Argentina.
According to Vanity Fair España, Roccuzzo attended college in Argentina. Antonella graduated in Humanities and Social Sciences from the National University of Rosario and started her PhD in Dentistry. However, Antonella decided to leave to be closer to Messi.
Antonella and Messi got married in 2017.
The letter to the footballer and the model was called "Wedding of the Lions". He was there, along with Messi's teammate Shakira and then-partner Gerard Piqué. The wedding took place on June 30, 2017 at a casino in the couple's hometown.
Antonella is an entrepreneur and model.
In November 2016, Roccuzzo announced that Antonella had signed a modeling contract with designer Ricky Sarkany. According to Marca news, Roccuzzo and his girlfriend Sofia Balbi, wife of soccer player Luis Suarez, opened a store in Barcelona for Argentinian footwear brand Sarkany in 2017.
Antonella has also worked with various fitness brands and companies including Adidas and Stella McCartney.
Antone has many followers on Instagram.
While Antone doesn't have a Twitter or Facebook account, Roccuzzo has more than 20 million followers on Instagram. Antonella regularly posts photos of her family and promotes her career as a model, fitness model, and shoe store.
Antonella L has three children with Messi.
.
In 2012, the couple gave birth to their first child, Thiago. Their second son Matteo was born in 2015 and their third son Ciro in 2018.
"That's what we learn when you grow up," Barcelona's Messi said of his father. “You have experience in all aspects of life on and off the pitch. But as a person it changed my outlook on life and way of thinking and helped me to grow as a person.”
“Even at home with three children there is little free time. Whether we're watching TV or playing games, we try to enjoy every second with them. "I love being at home and I love it."
Antonella believes Messi won the World Cup in 2022.
In December 2022, Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final. Roccuzzo, Thiago, Matteo and Ciro joined Messi on the pitch for a hug and celebratory photos after the win.
Roccuzzo posted on Instagram: "I don't even know where to start." We are so proud of you. Thank you for teaching us to never give up and fight to the end. YOU DID. YOU ARE THE WORLD CHAMPION, we know what you've been all these years. I've wanted you for years!!!"