Messi: How Argentina Star Met Antonela Roccuzzo Amid World Cup Push

• Lionel Messi's story with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo was a case of love at first sight
• The couple met when Messi was five in 1992 but rekindled their relationship in 2004
• Roccuzzo is her husband's greatest supporter as he chases the elusive World Cup title

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo have always appeared to be a match made in heaven. They are the modern-day definition of the phrase: 'behind every successful man, there is a strong woman'.

It goes without saying that Messi is one of the most successful footballers ever, alongside his arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo.

From their individual accolades, goals and uncountable defining moments, Messi and Ronaldo are the true GOATs.

The Argentine talisman might be a genius, but one unseen factor in his illustrious career is his wife. This is the story of how a young Messi in Rosario fell in love with Roccuzzo, and promised to stick with her forever.

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He first met Roccuzzo when he was five years old through a mutual friend, Lucas Scaglia, whom he played with at Newell's Old Boys youth team.

Scaglia once invited the superstar to their house and its here that Messi met Roccuzzo, who happened to be Scaglia's cousin. It was love at first sight.

Messi joining Barcelona

The Daily Star reports that when Messi was 11, Barcelona came calling and he had to travel miles away and was separated from Roccuzzo.

Messi moved to Barcelona with a growth hormone deficiency that initially threatened to curtail his rise to stardom, according to Bleacher Report.

He overcame his challenges and finally broke onto the stage in the 2002-2003 season with the youth team.

In 2004, Roccuzzo lost her best friend in a grisly car crash and Messi flew back to Argentina to comfort her. At that time, she was a dental medicine student.

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Messi's wedding

It is here that the pair rekindled their love, with Roccuzzo moving with Messi back to Spain. It was only until 2008 that they went public with their relationship.

In 2009, Messi was already an established star and part of Pep Guardiola's side that won the sextuple.

The couple had their first child in 2012 (Thiago), followed by Mateo (2015) and Ciro (2018). They officially tied the knot on June 30, 2017 at the Hotel City Centre in Rosario.

Roccuzzo is currently in Qatar with their three sons, hoping to see her husband lift the World Cup title on December 18.

Messi's side face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, before a potential nail-biting clash against Brazil in the semi-finals.

Roccuzzo and Mateo Messi

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Lionel Messi's son, Mateo recently found himself on the wrong side of his mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, after throwing gum at supporters.

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The Messi family is currently in Qatar to support the Argentina captain in his pursuit of landing a first-ever World Cup title.

While he has been inspiring his side on the pitch, his wife has been holding down the fort when it comes to the discipline of their sons.