Former team-mate Achraf Hakimi once described the World Cup winner as “simple and quiet” – which is no surprise given his shy demeanour at press events.

Messi is known as a family man, spending time with his three sons – Thiago, 10, Mateo, 7, and Ciro, 5 – as well as his wife Antonela Roccuzzo. However, the 36-year-old football icon is still human and enjoys a lavish lifestyle, after becoming one of the greatest players of all time.

Messi marries childhood sweetheart

Messi first met his wife in the 90s in their hometown of Rosario. The Argentine was just five years old when he met the love of his life. Antonela is the cousin of Messi’s childhood friend Lucas Scaglia. The two spent a lot of time together when they were young.

Messi met his wife when they were both very young in their hometown of Argentina. Photo: GETTY.

Messi and Antonela’s relationship blossomed in their early years and the pair kept in touch when the number 10 moved to Barcelona at the age of 13. Then, in 2008, Messi and Antonela went public with their relationship.

Messi and Antonela welcomed their first son Thiago in 2012 before having two more sons, Mateo (2015) and Ciro (2018). The couple married in 2017 in a lavish wedding at a luxury hotel in central Rosario.

Messi’s admiration for his wife has always been clear. When asked about Antonela in the past, Messi said: “The truth is that I admire everything about her. Antonela has many good qualities, in her daily life, in her character, … She is always in a good mood and faces problems in an admirable way.”

The Argentine striker has always admired his wife. Photo: GETTY.

The World Cup winner concluded by saying: “Antonela is a very intelligent and wonderful person in every aspect of life.”

Messi and Antonela’s lavish wedding

Messi and Antonela’s wedding was a memorable one. More than 250 friends and family – including some of the biggest names in football – flew into Argentina to watch the sports star tie the knot at the luxury hotel complex – the City Center Complex – in Rosario.

Mobile phones were banned at the event and staff were sworn to secrecy. Messi also deployed 450 police officers to help control things on their big day. Selected members of the press lined up outside the venue’s entrance and guests walked down the red carpet for interviews, photos or through a discreet entrance.

Messi’s private and luxurious wedding party. Photo: GETTY.

Samuel Eto’o was the first guest to walk the red carpet, followed by Sergio Aguero, Cesc Fabregas and Daniella Semaan before Ezequiel Lavezzi arrived at the hotel. Neymar was also present, while Xavi Alonso and Carles Puyol also appeared on the red carpet.

Female guests are encouraged to bring three dresses to avoid clashing or repeating clothing, even in color and pattern, while male guests are asked to bring three different types of shirts.

The wedding was a success. Messi and Antonela exchanged their wedding vows with their eldest son Thiago sitting beside them. Messi also showed his romantic side by arranging for Argentine singer Abel Pintos to surprise Antonela by closing the ceremony with her favorite song, Sin Principio ni final (Without Beginning or End).

Suarez and his wife are close friends of Messi’s family. Photo: GETTY.

Wedding guests also received a bottle of Messi’s low-priced wine – which retails for $20 – as a souvenir of the big day.

Who is Antonela?

Antonela is best known as Messi’s wife, but she is also a successful woman in her own right. She attended university in Argentina and earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and humanities from the National University of Rosario.

Antonela had planned to complete a postgraduate degree in dentistry but later withdrew to move closer to Messi and support his career endeavours.

Antonela and her children always follow closely to cheer on the Argentine striker. Photo: GETTY.

Antonela signed a modelling contract with designer Ricky Sarkany in 2016 before opening a store for Argentinian footwear brand Sarkany in 2017 with Luis Suarez’s wife, Sofia Balbi. She also has her own clothing line and regularly shares pictures of herself wearing the clothes she sells.

Antonela is also considered an influencer as she has a large following on Instagram. As of now, the wife of the 2022 world champion has 36 million followers, while her husband has 477 million.

Messi’s once peaceful life

During his 21-year playing career with Barcelona before moving to PSG, Messi lived in the small seaside town of Bellamar, which gave him an element of privacy that is essential for a star of Messi’s calibre.

Messi always makes the most of his rare free time with his wife and children. Photo: GETTY.

Bellamar, a beach town south of Barcelona with sandy beaches on hills overlooking the Mediterranean, has long been a favourite with the local elite. Neymar, Javier Mascherano and basketball star Pau Gasol all have properties there. Philippe Coutinho moved there when he joined Barcelona from Premier League giants Liverpool.

In the comfort of his own home, Messi can enjoy a soccer game with his sons on the floodlit miniature soccer field in the backyard, relax by the pool, look out at the ocean, and even enjoy the occasional barbecue.

Messi can also walk down the street to pick up his children from school – something that would be almost impossible if he lived in a normal town. And after two years in Paris playing for PSG, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is about to start a new life with his wife and children in the US, when he decides to join Inter Miami.