In an interview with the Spanish sports paper Marca published by his former club, F.C. Barcelona, in 2019, the footballer expressed how having three children changed his perspective on life forever and aided in his personal growth. “You grow and you learn. You gather experience in all aspects of life, on and off the field,” Messi stated. Despite the challenges of parenthood, Messi emphasized the importance of cherishing every moment spent with his children. Now, let’s take a closer look at Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo’s three children, in the order of their birth and their current ages.

Thiago Messi Roccuzzo
Born on: 2 November 2012

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo welcomed their first child, Thiago Messi Roccuzzo, in 2012. Messi expressed in an interview with El Periódico the following year how his son had profoundly changed his life. Soon after Thiago’s birth, Messi had his eldest son’s nамe and handprints tattooed on his calf to symbolize the lasting impact Thiago had on him. Messi has openly discussed how becoming a father shifted his priorities in life. Thiago, now 11 years old as of March 2024, began playing football at a young age. He was part of F.C. Barcelona’s academy while Messi played for the club. Following Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021, Thiago transitioned to the Paris-based club’s academy. Currently, Messi captains the MLS side Inter Miami, while Thiago is a member of the club’s under-12 squad.

Mateo Messi Roccuzzo
Born on: 11 September 2015

Mateo Messi Roccuzzo is the second child of Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo. Messi has described Mateo as having a competitive nature, unlike his older brother Thiago. Mateo is known to be lively and curious, often exploring new activities. Messi has shared how Mateo’s mood can be influenced by his career, as seen when Argentina faced a defeat during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. To celebrate Mateo’s eighth birthday in 2023, Roccuzzo shared playful pictures of her son on Instagram, expressing their infinite love for him.

Ciro Messi Roccuzzo
Born on: 10 March 2018

Ciro Messi Roccuzzo, the youngest child of Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo, mirrors his older brother Mateo’s behavior, according to Messi. Messi mentioned in a 2022 interview that Ciro often imitates Mateo and the two sometimes oppose him. Roccuzzo commemorated Ciro’s fifth birthday in 2023 by sharing photos on Instagram, including one where Ciro wore an Argentine team jersey with the number 10, similar to his father’s, symbolizing their connection. Roccuzzo wrote a heartfelt caption in Spanish, translating to “Forever our baby,” expressing their everlasting love for him.