Lionel Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo met as children when ‘Number 10’ was still playing for Newell’s youth team. They soon began dating and when Leo left for Barcelona, she went with him at the age of 19.
Leaving her hometown wasn’t easy, but now, years later, the model has confessed that it was the most difficult part of the process.
Ant reveals pain of leaving Argentina
Roccuzzo accompanied Leo in every way. She left Argentina for Spain to see him glow with roses. A few years later, she traveled to France to watch him play for Paris Saint-Germain, and now remains by his side in the United States after he arrives at Inter Miami in 2023.
Amidst fame and football, they built a family. Their first son, Thiago, was born in November 2012, Mateo in September 2015, and their third son, Ciro, was born in March 2018.
Now, looking back on the trip, Ant shared fond memories in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar Mexico. She started by sharing the details of the moment she left for Barcelona, never letting her past surface. “It was difficult when I moved to Spain because at that time my family and friends were my safe place and I felt protected,” she said.
But she can see signs of hope, adding: “But on the other hand, it made me grow a lot. It challenged me to take action, figure things out and get out of my comfort zone. I have to keep moving forward.”
“It’s difficult to leave your roots, but wherever I’ve lived, I’ve always kept my family and my heritage close to my heart. Everywhere I go, even the TV I watch at home, it’s Argentina,” she confessed with a laugh.
Roccuzzo was able to recover from the situation, but it wasn’t always easy. Although there was no language barrier, I remembered how much I missed my loved ones in a country where I didn’t know anyone.
“I don’t deny that it’s hard to be away from your family. When something happens to you and you want a hug from your sister, or a face-to-face talk with your friends, or just to be with your parents on a Sunday afternoon. It’s sad to miss moments that are gone and will never come back,” she confessed.
But as he reflected on his story, he emphasized the positives: “Without a doubt, the most valuable thing was the people I met at each location.”
Soon Lionel’s colleagues and their families became Lionel’s own family, sharing holidays and special moments with Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Surez, Cesc Hubregas, their wives and children, proving that football not only fuels passion but also unites hearts.
This is how, through transfers, challenges and new chapters, Antonella and Lionel built more than a life around football and a solid family full of love and resilience. At each destination they gained lessons, friendships, and memories that are now intertwined in an unbroken story of love and unity.
That journey culminated in one of the most emotional moments when Messi reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. That dream came true after many years of sacrifice, with his family by his side. Now, Leo and Albiceleste will defend their titles in the new version of the tournament, but with the belief that no matter where in the world they are, the sense of family always wins.
