By Marta Alizeh. Last updated: October 20, 2026.
The Lionel Messi family lost its anchor this summer. Jorge Messi, the father who took 13-year-old Lionel to Barcelona and managed his career for more than two decades, died in Rosario on August 8, 2026. He was 68.
Days later, Messi wrote that he didn’t know how he would manage without him. He revealed he had promised his father they’d reach the World Cup final together. Argentina got there. His father couldn’t travel to see it.
On August 31, Messi retired from international football. This guide covers the family behind him, using credible reporting only.
Quick facts
| Full name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
| Date of birth | June 24, 1987 (age 39) |
| Birthplace | Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Position | Forward |
| Club | Inter Miami (No. 10) |
| Father | Jorge Messi (1958-2026) |
| Mother | Celia Cuccittini |
| Siblings | Rodrigo, Matías, María Sol |
| Wife | Antonela Roccuzzo, married June 2017 |
| Children | Thiago, Mateo, Ciro |
| Ancestry | Italian and Spanish |
| Religion | Catholic, as widely reported |
Who is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi is an Argentine footballer, born June 24, 1987, in Rosario. He spent 17 seasons at Barcelona, two at Paris Saint-Germain and now plays for Inter Miami. He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and to the 2026 final, which Spain won 1-0 after extra time. He retired from Argentina duty in August 2026 with 125 international goals, Khaleej Times reported.
Who are Lionel Messi’s parents?
Lionel Messi’s parents are Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini. They married in 1978 and raised four children in Rosario. Jorge worked as a department head at the Acindar steel plant in Villa Constitución, and Celia worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop.
Jorge Messi, the father
Jorge Messi was his son’s manager and agent throughout his career, ABC News reported. He travelled with Lionel to Barcelona for the trial that led to La Masia. He later negotiated the moves to PSG and Inter Miami.
Newell’s Old Boys announced his death on August 8, 2026. The club said he had been treated in recent months for an unspecified illness. The family had asked for privacy about his health.
Messi’s tribute was raw. He wrote that his father had pushed him to play one last World Cup, and that his health worsened just before it began, Euronews reported. He also said he had serious doubts about playing much longer.
Celia Cuccittini, the mother
Celia Cuccittini stayed in Rosario with the other children when Lionel and Jorge first went to Barcelona. The family relocated to Spain in February 2001, when Lionel was 13.
Her side of the family is mainly of Italian descent. Euronews reported that during Jorge’s illness, she was the one who reassured Lionel about his father’s recovery.
Who was Messi’s grandmother Celia?
Messi’s maternal grandmother, also named Celia, took him to training and matches as a small boy. She died shortly before his 11th birthday. He has long pointed to the sky after scoring as a tribute to her.
Does Lionel Messi have siblings?
Lionel Messi has three siblings: older brothers Rodrigo and Matías, and a younger sister, María Sol. All four grew up in Rosario.
Football runs wider in the family too. His cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi both became professional footballers.
Childhood and early life
Lionel Messi grew up in a working family in Rosario. His father’s side is of Italian and Spanish descent, with roots in the Marche region of Italy.
At 10 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency and began treatment at 11. His father’s health insurance covered only two years of it.
Barcelona offered a path. After a trial, the club signed him, and the family moved to Spain in 2001.
How did family shape Lionel Messi’s career?
Lionel Messi’s family shaped his career by moving continents for it. His father left a steady job to go to Barcelona. His mother and siblings followed. A grandmother’s early encouragement still shows in his goal celebration.
Jorge then ran the business side for more than 20 years. ABC News reported that he handled contracts, image rights and investments.
That partnership ended in 2026. Messi said his father’s death made him more certain about leaving the national team. He announced it on August 31 and said he would keep playing for Inter Miami.
His great rivals and teammates have family stories too. See Cristiano Ronaldo’s family, Neymar Jr’s family and Rodri’s family, whose Spain side beat Argentina in the 2026 final.
Who is Lionel Messi’s wife?
Lionel Messi’s wife is Antonela Roccuzzo, whom he met as a child in Rosario. They were introduced through her cousin Lucas Scaglia, who played youth football with Messi, NBC New York reported.
They spent their teens apart after he moved to Spain, then reconnected as adults. They married in Rosario in June 2017.
Antonela studied dentistry at the National University of Rosario, according to Vanity Fair España as cited by NBC. She works as a model and digital creator.
Does Lionel Messi have children?
Lionel Messi has three sons with Antonela Roccuzzo. Thiago was born on November 2, 2012, Mateo on September 11, 2015, and Ciro in March 2018. Antonela and the children were with him at his father’s private funeral in Rosario.
Interesting facts about Lionel Messi’s family
- His grandmother shares his mother’s name, Celia.
- He met his wife through her cousin, a youth teammate.
- Two of his cousins became professional footballers.
- His father managed his career from his teens until 2026.
- His family’s roots trace partly to Italy’s Marche region.
Frequently asked questions
Who are Lionel Messi’s parents?
His parents are Jorge Messi, who died in August 2026, and Celia Cuccittini.
Did Lionel Messi’s father die?
Yes. Jorge Messi died in Rosario on August 8, 2026, aged 68, after treatment for an unspecified illness.
Does Lionel Messi have siblings?
Yes. He has two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and a younger sister, María Sol.
Who is Messi’s wife?
His wife is Antonela Roccuzzo, his childhood friend from Rosario. They married in June 2017.
Has Messi retired?
He retired from international football on August 31, 2026. He still plays for Inter Miami.
Why is Lionel Messi famous?
He is one of the greatest footballers ever, a World Cup winner in 2022 and Argentina’s record scorer.
The takeaway
A father who crossed an ocean with him, a mother who held the home together and a wife from the same streets. Messi’s career was always a family project, and 2026 showed how much that meant.
This article reflects information available on October 20, 2026. It will be revised when real new details emerge about the Lionel Messi family.
