Sports

[PHOTOS] Birthday: Meet Messi’s Childhood Crush-turned Wife Antonela Roccuzzo

Published

3 years ago

June 24, 2023

Argentine professional footballer and Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi maried his long-time girlfriend Antonela Roccuzzo in 2017. The couple are now blessed with three children namely: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.

The Argentina’s star footballer turned 36 today (Saturday), and has won everything in the world of football.

From Ballon d’Ors to World Cup medal, Messi’s cabinet is filled with many accomplishments. But he will too agree that his biggest prize till date is his wife, the love of his life, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.

Here is what to know about their dreamy love story here.

Antonela has been a pillar of strength from Messi over the years and is also among the most gorgeous WAGs in the football.

Although Messi and Antonela met when they were kids and played in the streets of Rosario, they started talking to each other only thanks to his best friend Lucas Scaglia.

Antonela happens to be the cousin of Scaglia. Messi and Scaglia used to play for Newell’s Old Boys club. It was here that their friendships blossomed.

Scaglia once invited Messi at his home for a party. Messi met and talked to Antonela and there began a love story.

The two started to like each other and before they both knew it themselves, they had fallen in love. But then came the separation.

Messi had to leave for Barcelona in 2004 to pursue a career in the sport. It was a tough decision and they both ended the beautiful chapter.

Antonela went through a tough time as she lost her best friend in a car accident. Messi, realising his ex-girlfriend was in so much, pain booked a flight back to his home to be with her. Since then, he has not left her alone and began dating again.

Antonela came to Spain with Messi. They started living together in Barcelona. In 2012, the couple welcomed their first child. Five years later, Messi married Antonela in 2017. Today, Messi and Antonela are blessed with three children: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.

Messi’s wife was there in Qatar when Argentina superstar lifted the FIFA World Cup, his first in the national colours.

Antonela’s happiness knew no limits as she watched Messi become emotional after Argentina beat France in the final of the World Cup.

Sports

AFCON 2025: Lookman Scores Winner As Super Eagles Start Campaign With 2–1 Victory Over Tanzania

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Ademola Lookman scored what proved to be the decisive goal as Nigeria beat Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles came into the match as heavy favourites to win and dominated the opening exchanges.

After coming close a few times, the three-time champions took the lead through Semi Ajayi.

The ball was recycled following a corner-kick, before Alex Iwobi crossed it into the area for Ajayi to head home.

Tanzania equalized after Charles M’Mombwa found himself unmarked inside the area.

But two minutes later, Nigeria struck the winner through Lookman, who took a few touches and finished with his left foot.

Sports

JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, following a season in which he contributed significantly to both his club and the France national team.

Dembélé, known for his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, played a central role in Paris Saint-Germain’s campaigns across domestic and European competitions. His performances for the national team also helped France secure notable results in international fixtures.

Speaking on the recognition, Dembélé said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without my teammates at PSG and in the national team, whose support has been invaluable.”

In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025. Bonmatí was influential in Barcelona’s domestic and European campaigns, providing leadership, vision, and creativity in midfield. She also played a key role in Spain’s international successes.

“This award reflects the hard work of my teammates and coaches,” Bonmatí said. “I am grateful for their guidance and support throughout the season.”

The announcements reaffirm FIFA’s recognition of individual excellence in football while highlighting the contributions of players to both club and country.

Sports

Court Fixes Date To Hear Sala Compensation Dispute

Published

3 weeks ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

A commercial court examining the long-running dispute between Cardiff City and French club Nantes over compensation for the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash said Monday it would give its decision on March 30 next year.

Sala, a 28-year-old Argentine striker, died when the light aircraft taking him to the Welsh capital came down in the English Channel on January 21, 2019, two days after he had signed for the then-Premier League side. He and pilot David Ibbotson were killed.

The Welsh club took the case to the Nantes commercial court in 2023 to claim compensation for loss of income and other damages suffered by the club as a result of the player’s death.

Following an analysis conducted by an expert appointed by Cardiff City, the club estimated their losses at over 120 million euros ($139.5 million). Lawyers for both clubs made their cases at Monday’s hearing.

The Welsh club argue that Nantes, through their intermediary, agent Willie McKay, were the organisers of the private flight on which the footballer was travelling and that, if the transfer was effective at the time of the accident according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it is the organisation of this flight that is at issue.

Cardiff City’s lawyer, Olivier Loizon, told the court Monday, Willie McKay “could not have been unaware of the illegality of the flight”, and argued that the agent had acted with “negligence”.

“Whatever the ultimate cause of the accident, (Sala) should not have been on the flight,” he added.

Nantes’ lawyer, Jerome Marsaudon, insisted Monday the only agent authorised by the club in connection with the transfer was Mark McKay, the son of Willie McKay.

The elder McKay “was simply helping his son, given his extensive experience”, the lawyer said.

“It is sad to see that Cardiff have exploited this tragedy and turned it into a genuine legal farce,” he added. “Nothing in this case justifies holding FC Nantes liable.”

Prior to the start of the hearing, a Nantes representative said the club “have no doubt that Cardiff’s claims will be rejected outright, just like all the others”.

In another case related to the dispute between the two clubs, CAS ruled in 2022 that Sala’s transfer had definitely been finalised at the time of his death.

In 2023, world football’s governing body FIFA ordered Cardiff to pay Nantes the balance of Sala’s transfer fee, which at the time amounted to just over 11 million euros out of a total of 17 million euros.