Lionel Messi on his relationship with Antonela: I pay attention to details

In a rare, relaxed conversation away from stadium lights and matchday pressure, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi revealed a deeply personal side of his life, opening up about his relationship with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. Instead of tactics or last-minute goals, the Argentine captain reflected on love, family and the quiet gestures that shape their everyday life together.

Messi: “I do have my romantic side”

Speaking in an extended interview with Argentina’s Luzu TV, Messi described himself as someone who prefers actions over grand declarations. “I’m not very expressive, but I do have my romantic side. I’m big on the little details,” he said, offering a glimpse into how he shows affection even during the busiest stretches of his schedule.

Family routines bring their own challenges. Between Messi’s training commitments with Inter Miami and their children’s school schedules, there are days when he and Antonela barely see each other until the afternoon.

That distance, he explained, is where the small gestures matter most. “We leave in the morning and don’t see each other again until the kids are out of school,” Messi said. “So I’ll leave her a little gift, something small.” The tone was casual, almost understated, but the message was clear. For Messi, intimacy lives in the details.

Messi and Antonela meet each other halfway

Messi also spoke candidly about the balance they have had to find as a couple. Naturally reserved, he admitted that emotional expression does not come easily to him, especially compared to Antonela, who is more openly affectionate.

“It’s hard for me to show things, to express myself,” he said. “She’s more expressive than I am, and we talk about it. We’ve had arguments, because she stopped being that way since I didn’t like it.” The comment reflected not tension, but the ongoing adjustments that come with a long-term relationship built on honesty.

Childhood sweethearts

This personal side of Messi, rarely seen in public, completes the portrait of a global superstar who thinks beyond soccer. Long before Ballon d’Or trophies and sold-out stadiums, Antonela was already part of his life. They grew up together in Rosario, Argentina, and she has remained his constant through career-defining highs and personal milestones.

This glimpse behind the scenes shows a Messi who is not just focused on his profession but also on maintaining a strong, everyday connection with the woman he has known since childhood.