The entire football world is awash in emotion over Lionel Messi’s departure from the Argentina team. After announcing the end of his long international career, the Argentine superstar has been showered with love from teammates, supporters and family. Now, his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, has shared a heartfelt message addressed to her husband.
In a long social media post, Antonela recalled the many ups and downs of Messi’s football career. She also expressed her pride in Messi, both as a footballer and as a father.
Writing on Instagram, Antonela said: “I’m so proud watching you close this chapter this way. So many years, so many moments, so much joy, and so much adversity too.”
Over Messi’s long journey with the national team, Antonela has witnessed both his successes and his hardest moments up close. Her post also touched on how Messi kept fighting through one setback after another with Argentina.
Antonela wrote: “I’ve seen you suffer, seen you fall, and seen you get back up again. Even when things weren’t going your way, I saw you keep fighting and always try again. And after so many years, I’ve also had the fortune of seeing your dreams come true and enjoying some of the happiest moments of our lives.”
But one thing moved Antonela even more than Messi’s football career itself — that their three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, grew up as witnesses to their father’s entire journey.
On this, Antonela wrote: “But one thing about this whole story moves me in particular — our children grew up witnessing all of this with their own eyes. They watched their father fight for what he wanted, never give up, and hold on to belief until the very last moment. And then they saw with their own eyes that their father achieved everything and lifted the World Cup.”
According to Antonela, their children may not yet fully grasp just how extraordinary their father’s achievements on the field truly were. But as a father, their pride in Messi knows no bounds: “Maybe one day they’ll truly understand the enormity of your story. Today, they’re simply proud of their dad.” Finally, addressing her husband, Antonela closed with a message full of love and pride: “And I am proud of you. Proud of your journey, of everything you overcame, and more than anything — of the person behind every single moment. What good fortune it has been to stand by your side and be part of all of this. We love you endlessly.”