“Does Messi have kids?” is a simple question that needs a clear answer, and it is yes, Lionel Messi has three children, and all of them are boys. They are named Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi, and Ciro Messi, and they have grown up with their famous dad being an exceptional footballer. Despite the fame of Messi, him and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, have made sure that their children were able to live a relatively normal family life. The Messi family has seen many different parts of Messi’s career, from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and Miami. At the same time, they have seen their kids become more interested in football. As reported in 2026, the three boys still play an important part in the life of their father and they are actively engaged in the youth football environment at Inter Miami. Thiago was born in 2012, Mateo in 2015, and Ciro in 2018, and now Lionel Messi is the proud father of three school-aged boys who he brought into the world during almost all stages of his adult life. It is worth saying that the family has seen Messi win many trophies throughout the years of his football career. Thus, they were together when Argentina won the Copa América in 2021, the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and Copa América in 2024. In July 2026, there were reports of Messi with his wife and three sons during the World Cup period.
Who Is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Andrés Messi, popularly known as Leo Messi, is an Argentine professional footballer who is among the best football players ever. Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. He nurtured his skills as a young boy, later leaving Argentina and moving to Spain at the age of 13 to join the youth development program of FC Barcelona. His performance while playing with Barcelona made him rise from an extremely talented Argentinian boy to become a world sports superstar before joining Paris Saint-Germain. However, he joined Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023. Messi is the winner of a record eight Ballon d’Ors, six European Golden Shoes and many domestic and international titles. Messi’s most significant contribution at the international level occurred in 2022, when he captained his national team to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and won the Golden Ball award during the competition. Again in 2026, Messi led his country to another World Cup final but lost to Spain. On August 31, 2026, Messi announced his retirement from international football having scored 125 goals in 207 matches for Argentina. The above information is from Reuters and other current sources. Note that his international retirement doesn’t imply retirement from professional club football as Inter Miami have extended his contract until the end of 2028 MLS season.
Biography Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
| Popular name | Lionel Messi / Leo Messi |
| Date of birth | June 24, 1987 |
| Age | 39 years as of September 2026 |
| Birthplace | Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Position | Forward |
| Preferred foot | Left |
| Current club | Inter Miami CF |
| Shirt number | 10 |
| International team | Argentina — retired from international football in August 2026 |
| Wife | Antonela Roccuzzo |
| Children | Three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro |
| Father | Jorge Horacio Messi |
| Mother | Celia María Cuccittini |
| Major former club | FC Barcelona |
| Former club | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Major international achievement | 2022 FIFA World Cup |
| Ballon d’Or wins | 8 |
| European Golden Shoes | 6 |
| Inter Miami contract | Through 2028 MLS season |
Lionel Messi Age
Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, making him 39 years old as of September 1, 2026. His age is particularly significant because his career has lasted for more than two decades at the highest level of professional football. Messi made his official Barcelona first-team debut as a teenager in 2004, became a global superstar during the late 2000s and 2010s, moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, and then joined Inter Miami in 2023. In 2026, at 39, he participated in his sixth World Cup and guided Argentina to the final before announcing his retirement from the national team. Reuters reported that Messi finished his Argentina career with 207 appearances and 125 goals, while his club career continues with Inter Miami.
Early Life and Education
Lionel Messi was born and raised in Rosario, a football-loving city in Argentina, in a family with strong connections to the sport. He started playing football as a young child and joined local club Abanderado Grandoli before moving to Newell’s Old Boys during his childhood. His grandmother Celia was particularly influential in encouraging his early football development, and Messi has long honored her memory through his famous gesture of pointing toward the sky after scoring. His extraordinary talent became apparent very early, but his childhood was also complicated by a growth hormone deficiency that required expensive treatment. At the age of 13, Messi moved to Barcelona with his family and entered FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy, with the club agreeing to cover his medical treatment. His formal education consequently developed alongside his football training. Current reporting says that his early schooling included General Las Heras in Rosario, while after moving to Barcelona he attended Leon XIII as part of an educational arrangement for academy players. Messi’s education was never a conventional university pathway because elite football training became the central focus of his teenage years.
| Education / Development Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary education | General Las Heras, Rosario |
| Childhood football | Abanderado Grandoli |
| Youth club | Newell’s Old Boys |
| Move to Spain | Age 13 |
| Football academy | FC Barcelona La Masia |
| Schooling in Barcelona | Leon XIII educational program |
| Higher education | No conventional university career reported |
| Main teenage focus | Football development and medical treatment |
Lionel Messi Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Lionel Messi has never fit the stereotypical image of a physically imposing football superstar, and his relatively small stature has actually become one of the most distinctive aspects of his sporting identity. Inter Miami’s official player profile lists him at 5 feet 7 inches and 148 pounds, while other sources give slightly different height measurements, generally placing him around 1.70 metres. His compact build, low centre of gravity, balance and exceptional control of the ball have helped him maneuver through defenders with unusual efficiency. Messi is also recognized for his dark hair, brown eyes, left-footed playing style and athletic physique. His physical characteristics became particularly important during his youth because his growth hormone deficiency contributed to concerns about his height, but treatment and professional development allowed him to build a career that ultimately changed perceptions about what a world-class attacking footballer needs physically.
| Physical Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 7 in / approximately 1.70 m |
| Weight | 148 lb / approximately 67 kg |
| Build | Compact and athletic |
| Hair | Dark |
| Eyes | Brown |
| Playing foot | Left |
| Position | Forward |
| Distinctive feature | Low centre of gravity and close ball control |
| Shirt number | 10 |
Lionel Messi Family Background
Lionel Messi comes from an Argentine family with Italian ancestry and a strong work ethic. His father, Jorge Horacio Messi, worked in a factory and later became heavily involved in managing his son’s professional career, while his mother, Celia María Cuccittini, played an important role in the family’s upbringing. Messi has siblings including Rodrigo, Matías and María Sol. His grandmother Celia also had a profound emotional influence on him, particularly during his childhood football development. Messi’s family made major sacrifices when he moved to Spain as a teenager, because relocating to another country at such a young age meant leaving behind familiar surroundings and part of his extended family. His relationship with family remained important throughout his career, and he eventually built his own family with childhood acquaintance Antonela Roccuzzo. Messi and Antonela married in 2017 and have three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. The family has moved internationally with Messi’s career, living in Barcelona, Paris and Miami while maintaining a relatively private home life despite the constant global attention.
Lionel Messi Career Journey
Childhood Football and Newell’s Old Boys
Messi’s professional journey began long before he became famous, with football becoming part of his identity during his earliest childhood years in Rosario. He played at Abanderado Grandoli before joining Newell’s Old Boys, where his extraordinary ability quickly separated him from other children in his age group. Accounts of his childhood describe a diminutive player with extraordinary dribbling ability, close control and an almost instinctive understanding of where to move with the ball. His grandmother Celia was instrumental in getting him involved with football, and her influence remained important throughout his life. Even as a child, Messi’s talent was so obvious that coaches and teammates recognized him as an exceptional prospect.
Move to Barcelona at 13
The decisive turning point arrived when Messi was 13. His family arranged a trial with Barcelona, and the club quickly became convinced that the young Argentine possessed extraordinary potential. The famous story of Messi’s initial agreement being written on a paper napkin has become part of football folklore, although the broader significance is more important than the anecdote itself: Barcelona was willing to take a major chance on a very young player who required ongoing medical treatment. Messi moved to Spain and joined La Masia, beginning the development process that eventually produced one of the greatest players football has seen. His early years in Barcelona were not effortless, as he had to adapt to a new country, new language, different football culture and the emotional challenge of living away from parts of his family. Nevertheless, his development accelerated rapidly.
Barcelona First-Team Breakthrough
Messi made his official Barcelona first-team debut in October 2004 and gradually moved from promising teenager to established star. His combination of acceleration, dribbling, finishing, passing and vision made him extremely difficult to defend. Under different managers, his role evolved from wide attacker to central creator and eventually into a player who could influence virtually every part of the attacking game. During his Barcelona career, he won numerous La Liga titles, Copa del Rey trophies and UEFA Champions League crowns. Reuters notes that across his 17 seasons at Barcelona, Messi won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies while establishing multiple scoring records.
Record-Breaking Barcelona Years
The peak of Messi’s Barcelona career produced some of the most extraordinary individual statistics in football. In 2012, he scored 91 goals in a calendar year, a record that remains one of the most famous statistical achievements in the sport. He also became Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer and one of the leading scorers in European football history. His rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo dominated much of the football conversation for more than a decade, while his partnership with players such as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez helped Barcelona produce some of the most influential attacking football of the modern era. His eight Ballon d’Or victories further illustrate the consistency of his excellence across different periods of his career.
Paris Saint-Germain
In 2021, Messi left Barcelona after the club was unable to register a new contract under its financial circumstances. He moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he played alongside stars including Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. His two seasons in Paris produced domestic success, with Messi helping PSG win Ligue 1 titles, while his international career simultaneously reached its greatest emotional breakthrough with Argentina. The 2021 Copa América victory ended a long period of frustration for Messi with the national team and was followed by the 2022 Finalissima and then the 2022 World Cup triumph.
Inter Miami and the MLS Chapter
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, creating an enormous shift in the international profile of Major League Soccer. His arrival transformed attention around the club and the league, while he quickly delivered major success by helping Inter Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup. His influence continued with the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and the 2025 MLS Cup, according to MLS and Inter Miami reporting. The club later extended Messi’s contract through the 2028 MLS season, confirming that his American football adventure will continue beyond the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina and the World Cup Triumph
Messi’s international career was once the most complicated part of his public legacy. Although he achieved enormous individual success with Barcelona, Argentina suffered several painful tournament defeats, including the 2014 World Cup final and Copa América final losses. Messi briefly announced his international retirement in 2016 before returning to the national team. The turning point came with the 2021 Copa América, followed by the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup. In Qatar, Messi scored seven goals and provided three assists and became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice. Argentina defeated France in a dramatic final decided by penalties after a 3–3 draw. FIFA recognized Messi as the tournament’s best player.
2024 Copa América and the Final International Chapter
Messi and Argentina continued their remarkable run by winning the 2024 Copa América. The victory reinforced the transformation of his relationship with the national team: a player once criticized for not winning major senior international trophies had now become the captain of a generation that won multiple major tournaments. In 2026, Messi participated in another World Cup and led Argentina to the final, where Spain won after extra time. On August 31, 2026, Messi announced that he was retiring from international football. Reuters reported that he ended his Argentina career with 125 goals in 207 appearances. Although he will no longer represent Argentina, his club career at Inter Miami continues under his contract through 2028.
TV Shows, Films, Web Series and Songs
| Category | Title / Appearance | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Documentary | Messi | 2014 documentary about his life and career |
| Documentary | Take the Ball, Pass the Ball | Barcelona-era football documentary featuring Messi-related material |
| Documentary series | Matchday: Inside FC Barcelona | Behind-the-scenes Barcelona series |
| Documentary series | Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend | Apple TV+ documentary focused on his Argentina journey |
| Documentary | Captains of the World | Football documentary featuring World Cup context |
| Advertising / appearances | Numerous global campaigns | Featured extensively in commercial campaigns |
| Music career | None established | Messi is not known as a professional singer or recording artist |
Lionel Messi Relationship
Lionel Messi is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, and their relationship is one of the most enduring celebrity partnerships in international football. Messi and Antonela knew each other from childhood in Rosario, and their relationship eventually developed into a long-term partnership before they married on June 30, 2017. Antonela has remained an important figure in Messi’s personal life throughout his moves from Barcelona to Paris and then Miami. Together they have three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. The family has regularly appeared together at major football occasions, but Messi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining a normal family environment away from the public pressures of professional sport. In a 2025 conversation about his home life, Messi described his approach as trying to be a normal father and husband despite his fame. This perspective helps explain why the family generally avoids turning every private moment into public content.
Does Messi Have Kids?
Yes, Lionel Messi has three kids, all boys. His eldest son, Thiago Messi, was born on November 2, 2012; his second son, Mateo Messi, was born on September 11, 2015; and his youngest son, Ciro Messi, was born on March 10, 2018. The three children have grown up around football and have experienced life in Barcelona, Paris and Miami as their father moved between clubs. Recent reporting says all three have been involved in football development in Miami, although they remain children and it is too early to make definitive predictions about professional careers.
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Who Are Messi’s Sons?
Thiago Messi is the eldest of the three boys and was born in Barcelona in 2012. He has spent much of his childhood around football and has trained in youth environments connected to clubs where his father played. Mateo Messi, born in 2015, has become well known among fans for his energetic and competitive personality and has also developed an interest in football. Ciro Messi, born in 2018, is the youngest and has likewise shown enthusiasm for the sport. Current reports describe the three brothers as participating in youth football in Miami, but their father has emphasized the importance of allowing them to develop their own personalities rather than treating them simply as future professional footballers.
What Are Messi’s Children’s Names and Birth Years?
| Child | Birth date | Birth year | Position in family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thiago Messi | November 2 | 2012 | Eldest son |
| Mateo Messi | September 11 | 2015 | Middle son |
| Ciro Messi | March 10 | 2018 | Youngest son |
Lionel Messi Awards and Recognition
Lionel Messi’s awards collection is among the most extensive in the history of football. He has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, more than any other player, and has also won the European Golden Shoe six times. His international résumé includes the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2008 Olympic gold medal, 2021 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa América. At the 2022 World Cup, he received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, becoming the first player to win the award twice. Inter Miami also highlights three The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards, three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year awards, eight Pichichi Trophies and numerous other individual honors. His collection is not merely a list of personal awards: it reflects an unusually long period of excellence across club and international football.
| Award / Achievement | Number or Result |
|---|---|
| Ballon d’Or | 8 |
| European Golden Shoe | 6 |
| The Best FIFA Men’s Player | 3 |
| UEFA Men’s Player of the Year | 3 |
| FIFA World Cup | 1 — 2022 |
| World Cup Golden Ball | 2 |
| Copa América | 2 — 2021 and 2024 |
| Olympic gold | 1 — 2008 |
| FIFA U-20 World Cup | 1 — 2005 |
| UEFA Champions League | 4 |
| La Liga titles | 10 |
| Pichichi Trophies | 8 |
| Argentine Footballer of the Year | 16 |
Favorite Things and Interests
| Interest | Details |
|---|---|
| Football | His lifelong profession and central passion |
| Family | Spending time with Antonela and his three sons |
| Rosario | His hometown remains an important part of his identity |
| Newell’s Old Boys | Childhood club and formative football influence |
| Barcelona | Major club chapter of his career |
| Inter Miami | Current professional club |
| Argentina | National team for which he played until 2026 |
| Gaming | Has shown interest in football and gaming-related entertainment |
| Food and lifestyle | Generally associated with a disciplined professional-athlete routine |
| Travel | International travel is part of his professional life |
| Charity | Supports initiatives involving children, health and education |
Fitness and Lifestyle
Lionel Messi’s fitness routine has evolved with age, but his longevity has depended on much more than simply spending time in a gym. His training has traditionally emphasized mobility, speed, balance, acceleration, recovery and football-specific movement rather than bodybuilding for appearance. As he moved into his late thirties, managing workload and recovery became increasingly important because professional football places substantial physical demands on an athlete. Messi is also known for maintaining a comparatively private lifestyle outside football, spending significant time with his wife and sons. His dietary habits have been discussed extensively throughout his career, particularly after working with nutrition professionals to improve his overall performance and recovery. The family’s move to Miami has also allowed Messi to enjoy a somewhat different lifestyle from the intense football environment of Barcelona, although his professional schedule remains demanding. Even at 39, he continued playing at the highest level and represented Argentina at the 2026 World Cup before retiring from international football.
Lionel Messi Net Worth and Income Sources
Lionel Messi’s financial position is exceptional, with income coming from football contracts, endorsements, commercial partnerships and business-related opportunities. Forbes currently estimates Messi’s real-time net worth at approximately $1.1 billion as of August 31, 2026, while also reporting that he has earned an estimated $1.8 billion from on-field and off-field income over his career before taxes and agent fees. These figures are estimates rather than audited personal financial statements, so they should be understood as financial-media assessments. His commercial portfolio has included major global brands such as Adidas, Apple-related partnerships, PepsiCo, Mastercard and other companies. His Inter Miami agreement also extends through 2028, giving him continued football income in addition to commercial opportunities. Forbes has reported that Inter Miami offered Messi the possibility of an equity stake in the club as part of the broader package that brought him to MLS.
| Income / Wealth Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Professional football | Major source of career earnings |
| Inter Miami contract | Current club contract through 2028 |
| Endorsements | Global brand partnerships |
| Adidas | Long-term commercial relationship |
| Apple-related partnerships | Commercial/media association |
| PepsiCo | Brand partnership |
| Mastercard | Brand partnership |
| Business interests | Various commercial ventures |
| Estimated net worth | About $1.1 billion according to Forbes’ August 31, 2026 estimate |
| Career earnings | Forbes estimates approximately $1.8 billion before taxes and agent fees |
Controversies
Lionel Messi’s career has included controversies, criticism and difficult public moments, but most have been connected to football rather than serious personal misconduct. One of the biggest recurring debates involved his relationship with Argentina’s national team during the period when he repeatedly lost major finals. Critics questioned whether his Barcelona success could be replicated internationally, and Messi’s 2016 decision to temporarily retire from international football came after another painful Copa América final defeat. He eventually returned and changed that narrative by winning the 2021 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima and 2022 World Cup, followed by the 2024 Copa América. His 2026 international retirement has also generated substantial discussion, particularly because it followed Argentina’s loss to Spain in the World Cup final, but the announcement should be understood as a career decision rather than a controversy. Messi has also faced scrutiny over financial and tax matters during his career, although those issues are separate from the straightforward question of his family life and should not be confused with allegations of personal misconduct. Current reporting on his August 2026 retirement focuses primarily on his legacy, his emotional connection to Argentina and his decision to continue playing club football for Inter Miami.
Some Lesser Known Facts About Lionel Messi
There are numerous facts about Lionel Messi which do not relate to goals or prizes, but these are the ones which make his biography one of the most impressive in world sports.
- Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, on 24 June 1987.
- He started playing football when he was very young.
- His grandmother Celia had an important impact on the encouragement of his first steps in football.
- The well-known goal celebration of pointing up into the sky relates to his grandmother’s memory.
- He played for Newell’s Old Boys when he was a kid before joining Spain.
- He moved to Barcelona when he was only 13 years old.
- The club promised to pay for the treatment connected with his growth hormone deficiency.
- He developed in famous La Masia academy.
- His first match in the first team of Barcelona was in 2004.
- He played for Barcelona for 17 years.
- He won the Ballon d’Or eight times, setting a record.
- He won the European Golden Shoe six times.
- He scored 91 goals in one year in 2012, which is one of the most famous records in football history.
- He won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 with the team of Argentina.
- He is the first person who won the World Cup Golden Ball twice.
- He won Copa América with Argentina in 2021 and 2024.
- He won Olympic gold with Argentina in 2008.
- He is now a member of the Inter Miami.
- The contract of Lionel Messi with Inter Miami lasts until the 2028 MLS season.
- He and Antonela Roccuzzo have three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
- His eldest son Thiago was born in 2012, Mateo in 2015 and Ciro in 2018.
- His kids showed their interest in football and participate in youth football programs in Miami.
- Lionel Messi decided to retire from international football on 31 August 2026.
- He ended his career with the national team of Argentina with 125 goals scored in 207 matches, according to Reuters.
- However, despite retirement, he remains an active professional footballer playing for Inter Miami.
Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Account / Information |
|---|---|
| @leomessi | |
| Official website | Messi.com |
| Lionel Messi official presence | |
| X / Twitter | Official/public Messi-related account information varies by platform verification |
| Inter Miami profile | Official player profile through Inter Miami CF |
Conclusion
So, does Messi have kids? Yes Lionel Messi has three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, whom he shares with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo. Thiago was born in 2012, Mateo in 2015 and Ciro in 2018, and the three boys have grown up during some of the most remarkable years of their father’s football career. They have experienced life in Barcelona, Paris and Miami and have been seen supporting Messi at major football events, including Argentina’s World Cup journey. Recent reporting indicates that the boys have also developed an interest in football through youth environments in Miami, although their future careers remain their own to determine. Messi’s family story is particularly interesting because his professional career has been unusually demanding: he moved from Argentina to Spain as a teenager, became Barcelona’s greatest-ever goalscorer, won eight Ballon d’Or awards, captured the 2022 World Cup and ultimately became an international icon. In August 2026, he closed the international chapter of that career by announcing his retirement from Argentina after reaching another World Cup final, but he remains an active Inter Miami player under a contract running through 2028. Behind all the records and trophies, Messi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of being a husband and father away from football, and that family-centered approach has become an important part of his public identity.
FAQs
Does Messi have kids?
Yes, Lionel Messi has three children, all sons: Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi and Ciro Messi. They are his children with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo.
How many kids does Lionel Messi have?
Messi has three sons. Thiago is the oldest, Mateo is the middle child and Ciro is the youngest.
What are Messi’s children’s names?
Lionel Messi’s three sons are Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi and Ciro Messi.
When was Thiago Messi born?
Thiago Messi, Lionel Messi’s eldest son, was born on November 2, 2012.
When was Mateo Messi born?
Mateo Messi was born on September 11, 2015 and is Messi’s second son.
When was Ciro Messi born?
Ciro Messi, the youngest of Lionel Messi’s three sons, was born on March 10, 2018.
Who is Messi’s wife?
Messi is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, his longtime partner from Rosario. They married on June 30, 2017, and have three sons together.
Are Messi’s children football players?
Messi’s three sons have developed an interest in football and have participated in youth football environments in Miami. However, they are still children, so it is too early to describe them as professional footballers or predict their future careers.
Does Messi’s family live in Miami?
Messi’s professional base is Miami because he plays for Inter Miami, and his wife and children have been reported spending time with him there. The family also travels internationally, particularly around Argentina matches and major football tournaments.
How old is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi was born June 24, 1987, so he is 39 years old as of September 2026.
Is Messi still playing football?
Yes. Messi remains a professional player for Inter Miami. His contract was extended through the end of the 2028 MLS season. He retired from international football for Argentina on August 31, 2026, but that is separate from his club career.
Has Messi retired from Argentina?
Yes. On August 31, 2026, Messi announced his retirement from international football following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. He finished his Argentina career with 125 goals in 207 appearances, according to Reuters.
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