Antonela Roccuzzo has spent years cheering Lionel Messi on from the sidelines, but lately, she’s been stepping into the public eye on her own terms. The Argentine entrepreneur, model, and philanthropist has built partnerships with brands including Tiffany & Co., Adidas, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Alo while raising three sons with Messi. Although she has amassed millions of followers on social media, Roccuzzo has remained notably private, only beginning to give interviews in recent years.
Ahead, here’s everything to know about Messi’s wife.
She grew up in Rosario, Argentina.
Roccuzzo was born on Feb. 26, 1988, in Rosario, Argentina, the same city where Messi grew up. Rosario is a port city in the province of Santa Fe, known for its cultural landmarks and as the birthplace of revolutionary Che Guevara. Growing up in a close-knit family, Roccuzzo enjoyed a typical childhood surrounded by relatives. Speaking to Grazia in 2024, she reflected, “My memories and my childhood were very nice. I was always surrounded by family.”
She attended the National University of Rosario, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities and social sciences. She also began postgraduate studies in dentistry before deciding to move to Spain as her relationship with Messi became more serious. “I always wanted to be a dentist,” she told Grazia. “I don’t know why because I don’t have anyone [who is a dentist] in my family, but I always dreamed about it.”
She and Messi have known each other since they were children.
Messi and Roccuzzo’s story stretches back decades. According to ESPN, the pair first met through Roccuzzo’s cousin, Lucas Scaglia, who played youth soccer alongside Messi in Rosario. Although they knew each other as children, Messi moved to Barcelona when he was 13 to pursue his soccer career. This separation did not diminish their connection. The two reportedly reconnected after Messi returned to Argentina in 2005 following the death of one of Roccuzzo’s close friends. Their relationship remained largely private before Messi publicly confirmed in a 2009 interview with Catalan television channel TV3 that he had a girlfriend. Roccuzzo later relocated to Barcelona in 2010.
Their love story is often described as a fairy tale. Messi has frequently credited Roccuzzo for her unwavering support throughout his career, which includes multiple Ballon d’Or awards and a World Cup victory with Argentina in 2022. The couple’s bond has weathered the pressures of fame and constant media attention, emerging stronger over the years.
She has built a career in fashion, beauty, and business.
While many people first came to know Roccuzzo through Messi, she has spent the last several years establishing her own career. She has partnered with brands including Adidas, Tiffany & Co., Lancôme, Alo Yoga, and Anastasia Beverly Hills, and has built an audience of over 40 million Instagram followers. Her influence extends beyond social media; she has become a sought-after brand ambassador for luxury and lifestyle products.
Earlier this year, Anastasia Beverly Hills announced Roccuzzo as one of the beauty brand’s celebrity ambassadors. Speaking to ELLE at the time, she admitted that embracing more public-facing opportunities hasn’t always come naturally. “I was feeling very guilty about leaving my house and not being present with the kids,” she said. “I went to New York for a few days and was feeling bad about it. But when I came back, everybody was perfect. Nobody died. I realized that I can do things more often.” She added that she’s still adjusting to life in the public eye. “I’m very shy and this is very new,” she told ELLE. “No one knows my voice. I don’t speak. Even doing this interview is new for me. So with time, I am starting to be more confident about myself and more secure in myself.”
She has also launched business ventures of her own, including the children’s clothing brand Enfans. This venture reflects her passion for fashion and her desire to create something for families. Enfans offers stylish and comfortable clothing for kids, embodying Roccuzzo’s personal taste and practical approach to parenting.
Fitness has become an important part of her daily routine.
Roccuzzo frequently shares workout content on social media, but she says exercise is about much more than staying physically fit. “I try to work out every day,” she told ELLE in 2026. “I go to a gym that’s only for women. Twice a week, I do FitJam classes, which are super fun...It is a way for my mind to be in another place. It makes me forget everything and starts my day in a good way.” She also said strength training completely changed her perspective on fitness. “I used to be scared to do weights because I thought that I would become ‘big,’ but that never happened,” she said. “Everybody should do weights at least one hour a day, because it’s very important for the future.”
More than anything, she views exercise as time that’s entirely her own. “For me, it’s like my therapy,” she explained. “I leave my phone in my bag. I put my Apple Watch on ‘Do Not Disturb,’ and this is my one hour.” This commitment to self-care is a key part of her daily routine, helping her maintain balance amidst a busy family life and growing career.
She and Messi married in Argentina in 2017.
After years together, Roccuzzo and Messi married on June 30, 2017, in their hometown of Rosario. According to ESPN, roughly 260 guests attended the ceremony, including many of Messi’s teammates and close friends from the soccer world. The wedding was a lavish affair held at the Hotel Casino City Center, with a reception that featured performances by Latin music stars. Days after the ceremony, Roccuzzo shared a wedding photo on Instagram alongside the caption, “My Husband❤️ Thank you to all our family and friends for joining us!!! We love you sooooo much💍👰🏽🤵!!! happiness ido. ❤️…” The event was covered extensively by international media, highlighting the couple’s deep roots in Rosario.
They have three sons together.
Roccuzzo and Messi share three children: Thiago, born in 2012; Mateo, born in 2015; and Ciro, born in 2018. Despite Messi’s global fame, Roccuzzo has said their family life revolves around routine. “We love our routine,” she told Grazia. “It’s very important for our family, the structure.” She explained that their days typically begin with taking the boys to school before she fits in workouts, meetings, errands, or photoshoots while they’re in class. “Then just picking up the kids and going to all soccer activities or after-school activities. Then having dinner and going to bed,” she said. “We are like a normal family.”
The boys have grown up in the spotlight but Roccuzzo and Messi work hard to give them a grounded upbringing. Messi has often spoken about how fatherhood has changed him, making him more responsible and focused on what truly matters. The family splits their time between Barcelona, Paris, and Miami, following Messi’s club moves, but they always return to Rosario for holidays and special occasions.
She says family remains her biggest priority.
Although Roccuzzo’s career has continued to grow, she says motherhood comes first. “My kids are my number one priority,” she told ELLE. “And now, I’m in a position to start doing things for myself.” Finding that balance hasn’t always been easy, but she credits Messi with encouraging her to pursue opportunities outside the home. “I have my husband’s support, and that is very important,” she said. “If I didn’t have that support, I don’t think I would be fully doing this.”
Messi has also spoken publicly about his admiration for his wife. During a 2019 interview with Marca, he said, “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.” This mutual respect and support have been the cornerstone of their relationship for nearly two decades.
She’s passionate about philanthropy.
Roccuzzo has also made charitable work an important part of her career. She told Grazia she tries to connect many of her collaborations to charitable initiatives and is especially passionate about supporting children and women. Among the organizations she’s worked with are Equality Now and Argentina’s Estudiar es Mejor foundation, which helps expand access to education. “I always care a lot about kids, especially kids and women,” she told the magazine.
In addition to these partnerships, Roccuzzo and Messi have their own foundation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports projects in health, education, and sport. Roccuzzo is actively involved in the foundation’s activities, often visiting hospitals and schools to bring attention to important causes. Her philanthropic work reflects her desire to use her platform for positive change, inspiring millions of followers to give back as well.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment News