Lionel Messi sends heartfelt message to Antonela Roccuzzo as she shares family photo on social media to celebrate his birthday
While the world celebrated Lionel Messi's 37th birthday on June 24, the Argentine talisman couldn't be with his wife and children because of the ongoing Copa America. To celebrate his birthday, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo shared a heartwarming photo of the entire Messi family in jade black tuxedos.
"Happy birthday love, Leo Messi. We love you endlessly," captioned the 36-year-old.
Lionel Messi was quick to reply to Antonela Roccuzzo's post and commented:
"Thank you very much my life, I love you and I miss you!!!"
Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo's love story is one for future history books. The two have known each other since their ages were in single digits in Rosario, Argentina. However, life separated them in 2000 when a prodigal Lionel had to cross the ocean and come to Europe in search of a club that would adopt him and pay for his treatment.
Since communication across such a vast distance was an ordeal back then, the developing relationship came to an abrupt halt. However, it picked up again when the two were 17 years old. Lionel Messi flew to Argentina when he heard that a friend of Antonela had died of a traffic mishap and was there to comfort her throughout.
That was when the two truly got close to one another and their relationship took off. Although they kept the relationship secret for a while, it became public when Lionel Messi mentioned her in an interview in 2009.
Fast forward to June 2017, the two finally got married after having two kids, Thiago and Mateo. The reception was a high-profile one and included several big names in the footballing world including Luis Suarez, Neymar, the entire Argentina team, and Colombian superstar Shakira. A year after their wedding, the two had their third boy named Ciro.
Lionel Messi revealed that he wants a daughter after having three sons with Antonela Roccuzzo
In an interview with streamer Migue Granados on the OLGA channel, Lionel Messi splurged intimate details about his family life, revealing that he wanted to be a father again. However, this time he would want to have a daughter.
"We would like to have another baby. We're not actively trying to, but let's see if the girl arrives," revealed the Ballon d'Or winner.
The Messi household currently has three children, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro along with his Bordeaux Mastiff, Senor Hulk.
Lionel also commented on the parenting skills of himself and Antonela Roccuzzo, saying that he is a good father because he tries to instill values in his children that were taught to him by his own parents. He also commented on his wife's mothering skills.
"She spends 24 hours a day with the kids. We are often away for a long time: trips, matches, preseason, national team. Sometimes we are gone for a month, a month and a half, and she is with the kids all day," said the World Cup winner.
Messi is currently in the United States with the national team as they prepare to face Chile in the next group-stage fixture for Copa America 2024. Lionel Messi and company will be able to achieve the historic international treble if La Albiceleste can win the Copa America for the second consecutive time.