Lionel Messi’s Three Kids: Meet Mateo, Thiago, and Ciro
- Celebrity
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- UPDATED March 12, 2025
by Kristine Bowman
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When Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, three of his biggest fans were cheering him on—his sons, Mateo, Thiago, and Ciro. The soccer icon, who scored twice in the thrilling final against France, shared a heartfelt moment with his boys after the game as they embraced him in jerseys bearing his name and iconic number 10. Soon after, their mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, joined the celebration, later sharing an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“I don’t even know how to start,” Roccuzzo wrote. “We are so proud of you, @leomessi. Thank you for teaching us to never give up. IT FINALLY HAPPENED! YOU ARE A WORLD CHAMPION! We know how much you fought for this.”
Messi and Roccuzzo, childhood friends who reconnected in 2005, have built a beautiful family. They welcomed their first son, Thiago, in 2012, followed by Mateo in 2015 and Ciro in 2018. Messi has often credited fatherhood for shifting his outlook on life. “You grow and you learn,” he told FC Barcelona in 2017. “Having three children changed my perspective on life and helped me grow in ways I never imagined.
Thiago Messi Roccuzzo, 12
Born on November 2, 2012, Thiago is Messi and Roccuzzo’s firstborn. To mark the occasion, Messi got his son’s name and handprints tattooed on his calf.
The soccer star has spoken about how deeply Thiago changed him, telling El Periódico in 2013, “My son has transformed my life more than any Ballon d’Or ever could.” Messi admitted that fatherhood shifted his priorities, explaining, “Every moment, every decision—it all feels different now.”
Despite his global fame, Messi embraces a low-key family life. “A typical day? Taking Thiago to school, going to training, drinking maté at home, spending time at the park with Anto and the kids,” he shared in a Sports Illustrated essay. “Just a normal, peaceful life—the kind we always wanted.
Mateo Messi Roccuzzo, 9
Messi and Roccuzzo welcomed their second son, Mateo, on September 11, 2015. From an early age, Mateo stood out for his lively personality. “Mateo is always up to something,” Messi said in 2019.
While Thiago is the “calm” one, Mateo shares his father’s competitive fire. “Mateo is just like me when I was little—he hates losing,” Messi revealed in an interview. His wife, Roccuzzo, even had to remind him to “let the kids win” during family soccer matches, as seen in a 2022 Instagram video.
Mateo’s passion for the game extends to his dad’s career. After Argentina’s unexpected loss to Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup, Messi recalled how “Mateo left the stadium crying.” Despite the setback, Messi reassured his family—and fans—that Argentina’s fate was still in their hands.
Ciro Messi Roccuzzo, 7
The youngest of the Messi-Roccuzzo family, Ciro was born on March 10, 2018. Like his older brothers, he has a special place in both of his parents’ hearts—Messi has all three of his sons’ names tattooed on his calf, while Roccuzzo has “Ciro” inked on her arm.
Though he’s still growing into his personality, Messi has noticed how much Ciro looks up to his older brother. “He copies everything Mateo does, and they team up against me,” Messi joked in 2022.
When Ciro was just eight months old, Messi reflected on how fatherhood shaped his life. “I’m ecstatic about the family we’ve built,” he wrote in Sports Illustrated. At the time, he was still chasing his ultimate career goal—winning a World Cup. Four years later, that dream came true, with his three sons right beside him to celebrate.
In 2023, Roccuzzo marked Ciro’s fifth birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a photo of him wearing a #10 jersey and a sweet throwback of him as a baby. “Forever our baby,” she captioned the post.
Who Is Lionel Messi’s Wife? Meet Antonela Roccuzzo
Messi and Roccuzzo’s love story started in childhood, and despite years of long-distance separation, they reconnected and built a life together. The couple welcomed two sons before officially tying the knot in 2017, and a year later, they completed their family with Ciro’s birth.
“My wife, Antonela, has so many amazing qualities,” Messi once said. “I admire how she handles life’s ups and downs—she’s always in a good mood, she’s incredibly strong, and she approaches everything with wisdom.”
A constant source of support, Roccuzzo is always in the stands cheering Messi on. She was there in December 2022, celebrating Argentina’s World Cup semifinal victory on Instagram. Days later, she and their three sons were in Qatar, watching Messi achieve his lifelong dream—becoming a world champion.
