At 39, Lionel Messi remains the defining presence of this World Cup on his adopted stage in the United States, thrilling supporters worldwide as he pushes to guide Argentina to a second consecutive title.
The Argentina captain has struck eight times in five games, a tally that includes a spectacular hat-trick against Algeria and a crucial goal in Tuesday’s dramatic late 3-2 fightback against Egypt.
Yet despite his magnetic pull on the pitch, an insider has told The Daily Mail that Messi works hard to stay out of the public eye away from football — even describing him as a “recluse” — while his glamorous wife and childhood sweetheart, Antonela Roccuzzo, 38, maintains a much more active social and professional schedule.
According to the source: “When he goes out, it’s always very orchestrated. Not in a forced way, but it’s very well-planned. And while his wife is very social, he is not. His wife is always locked in, launching something or doing something.”
That contrast, however, is not understood to signal any strain between them — despite Messi recently pushing back against speculation linking him to a journalist in Argentina.
Messi and Antonela remain an uncommon example of a steady marriage that has survived more than two decades under extraordinary scrutiny. To his most devoted fans, Messi is treated almost like a deity, with supporters raising their hands and bowing in celebration whenever he finds the net.
A source has portrayed Lionel Messi as a “recluse” who makes a deliberate effort to stay away from the spotlight
The insider said: “When he goes out, it’s always very orchestrated. Not in a forced way, but it’s very well-planned. And while his wife is very social, he is not. His wife is always locked in, launching something or doing something”
That level of fame, our source reveals, is the biggest factor in keeping Messi away from the bright lights near his Miami home.
‘I know it’s not the language barrier [that keeps him away from social events],’ the source said of the Spanish-speaking footballer.
‘He’s a family man. He’s got the kids, he goes to work, he comes home, he rests, he practices. He’ll pick and choose the right times to show face. He’s invited to a lot, but attends very little.
‘Two years ago, in Miami, there was “The Messi Experience”, which was a virtual reality depiction of his life, and it was done [in collaboration] with his father. He never even went because he didn’t want to go out.’
Messi has a close bond with father Jorge, who also operates as his agent and de facto business manager, overseeing his multi-million dollar empire off the field. Jorge had some health struggles as the World Cup began and Messi left the field in tears after his hat-trick against Algeria to start the tournament.
Jorge has since been discharged, returning to Argentina to continue his recovery.
Messi and Antonela share three sons: Thiago, 13, Mateo, 10, and Ciro, 8. The family were in Atlanta for his last game, where he inspired a three-goal comeback in the last 10 minutes against Egypt to secure a quarterfinal against Switzerland on Saturday.
But after last Friday’s 3-2 win over Cape Verde, Messi had another score to settle by directly confronting the speculation linking him to Argentine television reporter Sofi Martinez.
‘If I look at you, they ask why I’m looking at you. And when I greet you, they ask why I’m greeting you,’ Messi said to her while giving interviews after the game.
Antonela, who married the 2022 World Cup winner in their hometown of Rosario in June 2017, made a touching tribute to her husband following the Egypt win.
She shared a sweet Instagram post honoring the forward, writing, ‘Let’s go Argentina. @leomessi there are no words left’
Antonela also shared a photos of herself posing in a VIP suite, showing off her husband’s surname on her jersey and a powder blue Hermes Kelly bag.
Messi and wife Antonela Roccuzzo share three sons: Thiago, 13, Mateo, 10, and Ciro, 8
Messi is currently the top scorer at the World Cup as Argentina try to win back-to-back titles
‘He’s a family man. He’s got the kids, he goes to work, he comes home, he rests, he practices,’ said a source
She may have been generally known as the supportive wife of a legendary football player from 2017, but she has since established her own path as a successful businesswoman.
Today she’s a philanthropist, a multi-millionaire influencer in her own right, a children’s fashion label owner and a model – having worked with several fitness brands and companies including Adidas and Stella McCartney.
She had also initially intended to pursue a career in dentistry, though she gave that up to be at the Argentina striker’s side as he started his journey via Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and now Inter Miami to become one of the world’s richest and finest footballers.
At 39, Messi is worth an estimated $1.1billion and in the twilight of his career even if his World Cup performances make him look evergreen.
He is starting to think about life after soccer and where his family will spend the next chapter of their lives.
The insider revealed he is seriously considering laying down more permanent roots in Miami, where his social circle has grown thanks to the help of ‘connector’ David Beckham – a co-owner of Messi’s Miami team.
The source explained Messi – who 2023 bought a $10.75million mansion in Fort Lauderdale – has forged relationships with several influential people in Miami through his wife, while the very social Beckham has also helped.
They continued: ‘I think it’s possible he may stay in Miami if he settles into the right place.
The Inter Miami forward is rarely seen in public, unless it is for games with or award shows
Messi has relationships with influential people in Miami through his wife and David Beckham
The couple bought a stunning $10.75million, 10-bed home in Fort Lauderdale back in 2023
‘I think he’s working on finding the best neighborhood for him to live in, and I think maybe now he’s found that in [Fort Lauderdale] Broward County. He definitely didn’t feel that way in Miami-Dade County.
‘I think he likes Broward because it’s quieter and more away from the “scene”.’
Many have always thought Messi would end his career playing for his boyhood team in Argentina, Newell’s Old Boys.
But for now, the biggest stage of all is in his sights as he stands just three wins away from a second consecutive World Cup title.
