Football fans know that Antonela Roccuzzo has stood by Lionel Messi's side through thick and thin. As they continue to set relationship goals, here's a look at their sweet love story.
On August 31, Lionel Messi shocked fans by announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team. The Inter Miami star admitted that closing a chapter after more than two decades hurts deeply, but he has given everything he had to Argentina.
"I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football," he wrote on Instagram.
His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, showed support for her husband by sharing an emotional message that read, "What a pride to have been by your side on this journey and to see you fulfill all your dreams. You deserved this story and so much more. We love you infinitely."
ALSO READ | Lionel Messi retires from Argentina national team after father's death: 'I've given everything I had'
Football fans know that Antonela has stood by Messi's side through thick and thin. As fans continue to admire the couple's bond, here's a look at their sweet love story.
From childhood sweethearts to soulmates
Messi and Antonela go way back. They met as children in their hometown of Rosaria, Argentina, through the model's cousin, Lucas Scaglia, who played football with the Argentine star. According to CNN Sports, Messi was captivated by Roccuzzo and began spending more time at Scaglia's family home to be closer to her. They later spent their teenage years together after Messi moved to Spain to begin his career with Barcelona.
They reconnected as adults in the 2000s and kept their relationship private. In 2009, Messi confirmed he was dating Roccuzzo. Three years later, they welcomed their first son, Thiago. The couple welcomed their second son, Mateo, in 2015.
Messi and Roccuzzo had a lavish wedding in June 2017, saying 'I do' at a hotel in their hometown of Rosario. The star-studded ceremony was attended by family, close friends, and several of the footballer's teammates, including Neymar, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, and Cesc Fabregas.
The couple's third son, Ciro, was born in March 2018.
Lionel Messi heaps praise on wife
In 2019, Messi told Marca, "The truth is that I admire everything about her. 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."
Messi and Roccuzzo's love story continues
Years after tying the knot, Messi and Roccuzzo remain deeply in love and continue giving fans couple goals.
**(Feature Image Credits: Lionel Messi Instagram)**ALSO READ | Lionel Messi net worth: Inside Argentina legend's fortune and lavish lifestyle
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