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Lionel Messi retires: 12 pics that prove his family has been his biggest supporter

Updated On: 01 September, 2026 04:22 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, leaving millions of fans heartbroken across the globe. While we all know his legendary career and historic wins through the years, it was his family who silently and powerfully supported the footballer. From early sacrifices during his family's relocation to Spain to celebratory moments on the field with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons, here are some pictures of Lionel Messi with his family, who supported him through every milestone.

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01
Lionel Messi's family. Pics via Instagram, Facebook
Lionel Messi's family. Pics via Instagram, Facebook
02
From cheering in the stands to keeping him grounded back home, wife Antonela Roccuzzo and his kids, have always been there for Lionel Messi.
From cheering in the stands to keeping him grounded back home, wife Antonela Roccuzzo and his kids, have always been there for Lionel Messi.
03
Messi has often spoken about how fatherhood changed him. Messi once told FC Barcelona that having children fundamentally shifted his outlook. He shared that while the game used to be his absolute obsession, his kids taught him to prioritise life outside of the sport.
Messi has often spoken about how fatherhood changed him. Messi once told FC Barcelona that having children fundamentally shifted his outlook. He shared that while the game used to be his absolute obsession, his kids taught him to prioritise life outside of the sport.
04
Antonela and his three sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro have almost never missed a chance to accompany Leo and cheer for him from the stands.
Antonela and his three sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro have almost never missed a chance to accompany Leo and cheer for him from the stands.
05
Even after the biggest wins, Lionel is seen rushing to his family, acknowledging their presence and support in his victories.
Even after the biggest wins, Lionel is seen rushing to his family, acknowledging their presence and support in his victories.
06
Off the field, Lionel is a doting dad. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Messi had shared, "Inside my house, I am a very normal person... I discipline the children, I put limits, play and share with them, with my wife."
Off the field, Lionel is a doting dad. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Messi had shared, "Inside my house, I am a very normal person... I discipline the children, I put limits, play and share with them, with my wife."
07
Messi has also reflected on how his wife and family kept him grounded during difficult national team slumps, noting that when critics were harsh, his close-knit home unit provided the real love and stability which ultimately mattered most.
Messi has also reflected on how his wife and family kept him grounded during difficult national team slumps, noting that when critics were harsh, his close-knit home unit provided the real love and stability which ultimately mattered most.
08
Lionel has often spoke about Antonela's support and love in his interviews. “Anto tries to get me out and make me forget about the match and the result. But she also knows when the time is right," he once told DIRECTV Sports.
Lionel has often spoke about Antonela's support and love in his interviews. “Anto tries to get me out and make me forget about the match and the result. But she also knows when the time is right," he once told DIRECTV Sports.
09
Be it enjoying fun football sessions with his boys or celebrating festivals and important occasions with them, Lionel Messi proves that family means everything to him.
Be it enjoying fun football sessions with his boys or celebrating festivals and important occasions with them, Lionel Messi proves that family means everything to him.
10
His parents too are often seen cheering the loudest for their son from the stands. He too, often runs to them after his victories on the field.
His parents too are often seen cheering the loudest for their son from the stands. He too, often runs to them after his victories on the field.
11
Messi has also often spoke about how parents, Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, strongly supported his football career.
Messi has also often spoke about how parents, Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, strongly supported his football career.
12
It is well known that when Barcelona offered a trial and youth contract to Lionel, his father Jorge Messi packed up and moved to Spain to help him navigate at La Masia.
It is well known that when Barcelona offered a trial and youth contract to Lionel, his father Jorge Messi packed up and moved to Spain to help him navigate at La Masia. 
13
Even in his retirement announcement note, Messi shared how his father's passing away had deeply impacted him and convinced him to step away from the sport.
Even in his retirement announcement note, Messi shared how his father's passing away had deeply impacted him and convinced him to step away from the sport.

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