Everyone knows Lionel Messi as football’s GOAT, with a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, a FIFA World Cup win with Argentina, and a trophy cabinet that needs its own room. But before the trophies and global fame, there was Antonela Roccuzzo. She knew Lionel Messi as the quiet kid from Rosario who loved football a little too much. While the world started cheering for Messi years later, Antonela’s story with him began way before the headlines, turning a childhood connection into one of football’s most loved love stories.

Who is Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo?

Before diving into the love story of football’s power couple, let’s take a closer look at Antonela Roccuzzo. Born on February 26, 1988, Antonela is from Rosario, Argentina, the same hometown as Lionel Messi. She is a model, influencer, and entrepreneur who has built a strong presence in the public eye over the years.

According to Vanity Fair España, she studied at the National University of Rosario, where she pursued a degree in humanities and social sciences. She also reportedly began studying dentistry before later shifting focus as her life took a different direction. While many people primarily know her as Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela has established her own identity as a public figure through modeling, brand collaborations, and business ventures.

What is Antonela Roccuzzo’s height and age?

Antonela Roccuzzo was born on February 26, 1988, making her 38 years old as of 2026. Her height is widely reported to be around 5 feet 2 inches (approximately 1.57 meters), though this can vary slightly depending on the source.

The Argentine model, influencer, and entrepreneur has built a strong presence on social media and has worked with several major global brands over the years. She is widely recognized for her fashion sense and online presence.

She is also known for her strong Christian faith and has spoken about it in interviews, saying, “I believe in God, and I try to live my life according to His teachings,” highlighting the importance of faith and family values in her daily life.

How did Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo meet? 

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo first met as children in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Antonela is the cousin of Messi’s childhood friend, Lucas Scaglia, which is how the two were introduced. They knew each other growing up, but their relationship at the time was purely friendship-based. When Messi moved to Spain in 2000 to join FC Barcelona’s youth academy, they naturally lost regular contact due to distance.

Years later, they reconnected in the mid-2000s, when Messi was beginning to establish himself in professional football. Over time, their bond grew from friendship into a relationship, which Messi later made public in 2009. Reflecting on Antonela in a 2010 interview with Sport, Messi said, “I have a girlfriend and she lives in Argentina. She is the best.”

After years of building their relationship privately, the couple married on June 30, 2017, in Rosario. The wedding was attended by family, friends, and several of Messi’s Barcelona teammates, and was widely covered around the world. Messi has often spoken about how important family is in his life. In a 2019 interview, he said, “Family is everything to me. They are my support and my strength.”

Today, Messi and Antonela are regarded as one of football’s most loved couples, with a relationship rooted in childhood connection, long-distance years, and steady commitment.

What is Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo’s relationship timeline? 

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo’s story began in Rosario, Argentina, where they first met in 1996 through Antonela’s cousin, Lucas, who was Messi’s close friend. At the time, they were just children, and what started as a childhood connection slowly turned into a close friendship over the years. As they grew up, Messi and Antonela stayed in touch, but in 2000 their paths began to separate when Messi moved to Barcelona to pursue his football career. Despite the distance, they remained connected over time.

A significant moment came in 2005, when Antonela experienced the tragic loss of a close friend in a car accident. Messi returned to Rosario to support her during that difficult period, a moment often seen as a turning point in their bond. By 2009, the relationship had developed into something more serious, and they went public as a couple. In 2010, they became engaged.

Their family life began in 2012 with the birth of their first son, Thiago, followed by Mateo in 2015 and Ciro in 2018. Messi and Antonela officially married in 2017 in a widely covered wedding in Rosario. Since then, through Messi’s club moves and global career shifts, Antonela has remained a constant presence in his life, and the two are often seen as one of football’s most enduring partnerships.

What does Antonela Roccuzzo do for a living? 

Antonela Roccuzzo works primarily as a model, influencer, and entrepreneur, and her public career has grown significantly in recent years alongside her global visibility.

She initially studied dentistry in her postgraduate course at the university in Rosario, and later shifted toward social communication studies. However, she did not pursue a traditional professional career in either field, especially after her life became more internationally based following Messi’s move to Barcelona.

Today, Antonela is best known for her work in fashion and brand collaborations. She has become a global influencer and has partnered with major brands such as Adidas and Tiffany & Co., appearing in campaigns and fashion projects. She has also worked with designers and fashion houses, including collaborations within Argentina’s fashion industry.

Alongside modeling and endorsements, she is often described as a businesswoman due to her growing involvement in fashion-related ventures and brand partnerships. On social media, she has built a large following, which she uses to share fashion, lifestyle, and family-related content.

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo’ children

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo welcomed their first son, Thiago, on November 2, 2012. The football superstar was visibly overjoyed and marked the occasion by getting tattoos of Thiago’s name and handprints on his calf. Reflecting on fatherhood in a 2013 interview with El Periódico de Catalunya, Messi said, “He’s the most important thing to me now,” adding that his life and priorities had changed significantly since becoming a father.

The couple later had their second son, Mateo, on September 11, 2015. In a 2016 essay for Sports Illustrated, Messi described the births of both Thiago and Mateo as “life-changing,” writing, “I’m ecstatic about the family we have been able to create.” Messi and Antonela got married in 2017 in Rosario, and in March 2018, they welcomed their third son, Ciro. Antonela often shares affectionate tributes to her children on social media, including birthday posts featuring childhood photos and heartfelt captions such as “Forever, our baby.”

Both parents have also expressed their love through tattoos. Antonela has each of her sons’ names inked in delicate cursive, with Thiago on her right hand, Mateo on her left hand, and Ciro on her wrist. Messi, too, frequently shares glimpses of family life, including candid moments with his three sons, reflecting the strong family bond they share.

Who are Antonela Roccuzzo’s parents?  

Antonela Roccuzzo was born to José Roccuzzo and Patricia Blanco, both originally from Rosario, Argentina. Her parents have largely stayed out of the public spotlight but are known to have a close, supportive relationship with their daughter and her family, including Lionel Messi.

Antonela also has a sister, Paula Roccuzzo, with whom she shares a very close bond. Paula has spoken in interviews about their shared interests and how motherhood brought them even closer. She once described how, after the birth of Antonela’s first son, Thiago, Antonela became increasingly interested in children’s fashion, which later inspired a small family-linked clothing initiative involving their cousin Andrea, a designer.

Paula also highlighted that their mother has been a strong guiding presence in their lives, providing support and encouragement throughout their personal and professional journeys.

Antonela Roccuzzo’s Net Worth in 2025 

Antonela Roccuzzo’s estimated net worth in 2025 is reported to be around $20 million. A significant portion of her wealth comes from her work as a model, influencer, and brand ambassador, along with high-profile endorsement deals.

With over 40 million followers on Instagram, Antonela Roccuzzo has become a highly sought-after figure for premium global brands, especially in the fashion and lifestyle space. Her strong social media presence has positioned her as a key influencer in international campaigns, allowing her to collaborate with leading names such as Alo Yoga, CASETiFY, and Stanley 1913 through brand endorsements and partnerships. 

Beyond endorsements, she has also been linked to entrepreneurial and fashion-related initiatives in Argentina, including involvement in children’s clothing projects like Enfans, reflecting her interest in design and family-focused fashion ventures.  While Antonela has built her own independent identity in the fashion and branding world, her husband Lionel Messi has an estimated net worth of around $850 million, and together they are often regarded as one of the most influential and wealthiest couples in global sports. 

Antonela Roccuzzo’s Instagram 

Antonela Roccuzzo has around 40 million followers on Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her life, ranging from brand endorsements and fashion collaborations to family moments with Lionel Messi and their children. Her profile reflects her work as a global influencer as well as her personal lifestyle and partnerships with major international brands. You can view her official Instagram here: @antonelaroccuzzo