Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, is winning over Major League Soccer fans.
Roccuzzo had social media buzzing after she was seen cheering for Messi during Inter Miami CF’s 4-0 win over Atlanta United on July 25, 2023.
The 35-year-old brunette beauty was captured on the broadcast waving a pink flag, a representation of the team’s colors, as Messi tallied two goals and an assist.
Here’s what you need to know about Messi’s biggest supporter.
Roccuzzo and Messi met when they were just five years old in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina, according to The Sun.
The outlet also reported that her cousin is Lucas Scaglia, a childhood friend of Messi.
Messi left Argentina at the age of 13 to pursue soccer in Spain, but returned home to be with Roccuzzo after her friend best friend, Ursula Notz, died in a car accident, according to Argentina’s Para Ti.
Roccuzzo and Messi, 36, returned to their hometown to tie the knot at a casino on June 30, 2017.
In an interview with FC Barcelona, Messi once shared what he admires most about Roccuzzo.
“My wife, Antonela, has lots of great qualities,” he said. “I really admire how she deals with the day to day, she is always in a good mood and she approaches problems admirably. She is highly intelligent and well rounded in all aspects of life.”
Roccuzzo and Messi share three sons: Thiago (born in 2012), Mateo (born in 2015) and Ciro (born in 2018).
The couple’s children were present during Messi’s unveiling at Inter Miami on July 16, 2023, when a sold-out crowd gathered at DRV PNK Stadium for the rainy celebration.
Roccuzzo and her sons were also in the stands to watch Messi and Argentina win the World Cup in December 2022.
Roccuzzo works in the fashion business and founded Enfans, a kids’ clothing brand based in Argentina, with her her first cousin, Andrea Lo Menzo.
She has worked with a number of lifestyle and fitness brands, including Alo, Adidas and Stella McCartney.
In November 2016, Roccuzzo announced that she signed a modeling contract with designer Ricky Sarkany.
A year later, Roccuzzo and friend Sofia Balbi — the wife of soccer player Luis Suárez — opened a boutique for the Argentinean footwear brand Sarkany, according to Marca.
The mother of three is also a social media influencer and boasts 36.2 million Instagram followers.
Messi’s move to MLS has been one big party for Inter Miami fans, who have welcomed the soccer star and his family with open arms.
Messi, who relocated to Miami with his family in July 2023, secured a deal for two-and-a-half seasons with the club.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly receiving between $50 million and $60 million annually.