Stars Gather For The ‘Wedding Of The Century’ As Messi Ties The Knot With Childhood Sweetheart

Lionel Messi said “I do” to childhood sweetheart and mother of their two children Antonella Roccuzzo on Friday, June 30, in his Argentine hometown Rosario, where footballers and celebrities gathered for the “wedding of the century.”

Following the private ceremony, the couple appeared happy and relaxed as they walked a red carpet before hundreds of journalists at a hotel and casino complex, Roccuzzo donning a tight, mermaid-style gown by Spanish designer Rosa Clara.

The couple’s children Thiago, four, and Mateo, one, had front seats at the ceremony attended by some 260 guests, including Shakira and her husband, Messi’s teammate Gerard Pique, and numerous footballers such as Messi’s Barcelona strike partners Neymar and Luis Suarez.

Argentine media called it the “wedding of the century” for Rosario, the gritty northern port city where Messi, 30, and his bride, 29, met when the player was nine years old.

Former Barca and current Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas was in attendance, along with Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

More than 250 friends and family – including some of football’s biggest names – jetted to Argentina, to watch the sporting star, 30, marry Antonella Roccuzzo, 29, at the plush hotel complex as an alleged family feud threatened to overshadow the day.

The couple, who have known each other for some 25 years, banned mobile phones at the event. Staff were also sworn to secrecy and 450 police officers were drafted in for the big day.