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the painful tragedy that forever marked their love story

Antonela and Leo, one of the most popular couples in Argentina

The events of the last month reflected it perfectly. First when Lionel Messi was consecrated as champion of America by the hand of the Argentine team. Then, when the footballer took a radical turn in his career and left the FC Barcelona -where he played for 20 years- to start a new stage in the Paris Saint Germain. Everything seems to be in those images of celebrations, but also in those of nostalgia and emotion: the complicity between Antonela Roccuzzo and the soccer star remains intact. The love story of the couple, it is known, began in Rosario, in the hometown of both. However, what few know is that it was a painful tragedy the one that finished consolidating a bond that continues to this day.

In recent weeks, Messi experienced two key events. In July, Argentina beat Brazil in the final of the America’s Cup 2021. As soon as the formal ceremony ended and after sharing some celebratory songs in front of the tribune, he looked for a moment to communicate with Antonela and see the faces of his three children: Ciro, Mateo Y Thiago. Sitting in the middle of MaracanaHe picked up the phone and showed his family the medal hanging from his chest. On the other side of the video call, Roccuzzo accompanied him with pride in one of his greatest moments of glory. Hours later, at the Rosario airport, both were fused in an embrace that moved the country.

Arrival of Messi and his teammates Lo Celso and Di Maria at Rosario Airport, Messi was received by his family and embraced with his partner Antonella Roccuzzo.Arrival of Messi and his teammates Lo Celso and Di Maria at Rosario Airport, Messi was received by his family and embraced with his partner Antonella Roccuzzo.

Arrival of Messi and his teammates Lo Celso and Di Maria at Rosario Airport, Messi was received by his family and embraced with his partner Antonella Roccuzzo.

After winning the Copa América, Messi landed in Rosario and his hug with Roccuzzo moved everyone

But the strength of the bond between Lionel and Antonela does not lie exclusively in shared happiness, but also in the support they provide in the most delicate times. It was in evidence when, on August 8, the player was touched announce his retirement from the Spanish club that saw him grow. He entered the Barcelona auditorium to speak to the Catalan fans, who received the news of his departure like a bucket of ice water. Before he could even pronounce his first words, Messi he broke down in tears. At that moment, Roccuzzo rose from his chair in the front row and held out a handkerchief, in a small but intimate gesture that showed his understanding in the eyes of millions of people.

The intimate gesture of Antonela Roccuzzo with Lionel Messi in his farewell to FC BarcelonaThe intimate gesture of Antonela Roccuzzo with Lionel Messi in his farewell to FC Barcelona

Eric Alonso

The intimate gesture of Antonela Roccuzzo with Lionel Messi in his farewell to FC Barcelona (Eric Alonso /)

Antonela is everything to me“Lio said in an interview he gave to the sports magazine Sport in 2020. After referring to his career, he dedicated touching words to his wife. “Having her next to me simplifies a lot of things for me. We have known each other for a long time, he knows me perfectly. He knows how to enter me in every moment, especially in the bad. He is a person who has practically no bad days, who is always in a good mood. She is a spectacular companion”, He confessed.

The romance started from a mutual acquaintance: Lucas Scaglia. The former soccer player is Antonela’s cousin and has known Lionel since they were children. The two, in fact, took their first steps as athletes at Newell’s Old Boys club. “Actually, she was my best friend’s cousin. There we meet and that’s where everything started. But yes, we have known each other a lot our whole lives, “recalled Messi in dialogue with Sport.

Despite moving to Spain at the age of 13, Messi remained in contact with Roccuzzo until a severe tragedy brought him back to the country.Despite moving to Spain at the age of 13, Messi remained in contact with Roccuzzo until a severe tragedy brought him back to the country.

Despite moving to Spain at the age of 13, Messi remained in contact with Roccuzzo until a severe tragedy brought him back to the country.

Despite moving to Spain at the age of 13, Messi remained in contact with Roccuzzo until a severe tragedy brought him back to the country.

With 13 years, the Argentine captain settled in Spain to play for Barça. That early separation, however, did not prevent him and Roccuzzo from maintaining contact at a distance: they continued to watch their lives from one side of the Atlantic to the other. Therefore, in 2005, When Antonela suffered one of the most difficult moments of her adolescence, Lionel did not hesitate to return to the country to accompany her. That year, Rosario’s best friend, Ursula Notz, died in a tragic road accident.

As reported THE NATION In 2014, the person responsible for the accident was a young man who was driving while intoxicated. The man, identified as Matias Capozzuca, took a car from his father’s dealership without permission, crashed it and caused the death of two of his companions (Notz and Nayim Abraham). In addition, he left prostrate Carla alfaro, 16 years old.

Antonella Roccuzzo friendAntonella Roccuzzo friend

Antonella Roccuzzo friend

Úrsula Noltz, Antonela’s best friend, died at age 16 in a traffic accident in Rosario

In 2019, by sharing in your account Instagram A call to commemorate the victims of traffic accidents in Rosario, Roccuzzo made his own the words of the campaign “Absences that speak” of the NGO Compromiso Vial. “Absences are felt in everyday life, on birthdays, on anniversaries, at parties. Absences are disturbing, “he wrote. “When we understand that we will no longer listen to that voice that accompanied us, absences transform, being able to turn pain into action, but knowing that we will never be the same as before. Absences guide us. Absences hurt, but they also relaunch us. Close your eyes … Do you remember me? ”, He added.

Antonella RoccuzzoAntonella Roccuzzo

Antonella Roccuzzo

Antonela Roccuzzo usually remembers her friend on social networks

After several visits and trips, finally, in 2007 they whitewashed their relationship in their inner circle. Three years later, after the World Cup in South Africa, Antonela moved with him to Barcelona. After the birth of Thiago and Mateo – the last to arrive would be Ciro, the youngest – the couple got married in Rosario in 2017, in an event attended by more than 260 guests, among family, friends and colleagues. The rest is history.

Messi and Antonela's wedding dayMessi and Antonela's wedding day

Marcelo way

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo on their wedding day, four years ago (Marcelo Manera /)

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