Lionel Messi marries childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo – See videos and pics

New Delhi: Football superstar Lionel Messi exchanged wedding vows with childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in his Argentine hometown Rosario, in the presence of footballers and celebrities including pop singer Shakira, in what is being called "wedding of the century."

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

Shakira along with her footballer husband and Messi's teammate Gerard Pique, flew in to join the 260 guests including 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.

Brunette bride Roccuzzo wore a white, curve-hugging dress with a deep sweetheart neckline and embroidered straps by Rosa Clara -- a Spanish designer who has dressed actress Eva Longoria and Spain's Queen Letizia.

The wedding was held at 2200 GMT in the City Center casino, which stands right next to a crime-ridden slum run by drug gangs.

The civil wedding ceremony and party were all slated to take place inside the venue, and the guests will be lodged there too.

The feast will reportedly feature Argentine delicacies such as roast gizzards.

Uruguayan pop bands Rombai and Marama plus singer Karina, Aguero's wife, will perform at the reception.

There were also rumors that there would be singing by Shakira, the Colombian diva famous for "Hips Don't Lie" and "Whenever, Wherever."

Shakira had recently denied rumors that she would miss the wedding due to a quarrel with Roccuzzo.

Messi and Roccuzzo live in Barcelona where he plays, but still return regularly to Rosario for vacations.

Here are some of the pictures and videos from the high-profile wedding:-

Messi and Roccuzzo family pic.twitter.com/ifSsijHqbU — Leo Messi (@messi10stats) July 1, 2017

That moment when Messi and Antonella got officially married pic.twitter.com/VaVeroIy7C — Leo Messi (@messi10stats) July 1, 2017

Messi and Antonella - met as kids, together since then and now officially married. pic.twitter.com/ubmi3Bpoo3 — TrueSoccerLife (@TrueSoccerLife) July 1, 2017

Neymar on Instagram: "I wish you the best always brother. Congratulations Leo Messi and Anto." pic.twitter.com/4Kb2nFeSY8 — Leo Messi (@messi10stats) July 1, 2017

Mr and Mrs Messi after their marriage pic.twitter.com/jF1AzUgP5d — Leo Messi (@messi10stats) July 1, 2017

 

#antoleowedding #lionelmessi #messi #antonellaroccuzzo

A post shared by @losse44 on Jun 30, 2017 at 11:12pm PDT

Happy married life Messi and Antonella..
pic.twitter.com/W1AjD00z0G — Neymar Jr. (@Neymarvellous) July 1, 2017

Leo Messi: "A big salute to all the fashion cage." pic.twitter.com/UWE2fClUQ4 — Messi's Team (@MESSISTEAM) July 1, 2017

 

La cantante @Shakira ha sido una de las personas que ha llamado la atención de los medios en el matrimonio de Lionel Messi y Antonella Roccuzzo. En esta foto publicada por Daniella Semaan, pareja de Cesc Fábregas, la barranquillera posa junto a Vanesa Lorenzo, pareja de Carles Puyol, y Núria Cunillera, esposa de Xavi Hernández. #Shakira #BodaMessiYAntonella #Messi #InstaLike #Repost

A post shared by EL HERALDO (@elheraldoco) on Jun 30, 2017 at 8:07pm PDT

Jorge Messi (Leo's father): "This (wedding) is the most important game in Leo's life."
pic.twitter.com/musALkqMSF — Messi World (@MessiWorId) July 1, 2017

RT if you're happy for Leo Messi & Antonella. #WeAreMessi #LaBodaDeMessi pic.twitter.com/RfxhfcuPya — Leo Messi (@WeAreMessi) July 1, 2017

Mr & Mrs Messipic.twitter.com/paRF9w8IBo — Leo Messi  (@WeAreMessi) July 1, 2017

Congratulations to Lionel and Antonella Messi on getting married.. pic.twitter.com/bwWqnwRSyu — Leo Messi (@messi10stats) July 1, 2017

He moved to Spain when he was 13 to join FC Barcelona, but the couple kept in touch.

Messi has gone on to win the top Ballon d'Or award five times. He is widely regarded as the world's best footballer.

But various old friends of the couple in their home city said the bride and groom are humble folk who have never forgotten where they come from.

"They are the love of each other's lives," Messi's childhood friend Diego Vallejos told AFP.

The couple asked for for donations to a children's charity instead of wedding presents from the guests.

The couple have reportedly spent the past two weeks in Rosario with family, but have kept out of sight of the reporters who have invaded the city.

Rumors circulated of bachelor and bachelorette parties, but the only evidence that emerged was a photo, posted by ex- Barca goalkeeper Jose Pinto, of Messi enjoying a barbecue with a few friends.
Some friends of Roccuzzo have shared pictures of her relaxing with relatives.

On the eve of the wedding, a festive atmosphere reigned in the Las Heras neighborhood where Messi grew up.

"We will celebrate," said Damian Lugoni, 27, a local sausage sandwich vendor.

"I wish good luck to Leo and Anto, who is just as simple and nice as him."

"We are all happy for them," said Lisandro Urteaga, an artist who was called in to paint a mural of Messi in the neighborhood for the occasion.

"Let him celebrate the way someone like him deserves. He is a real example as a human being -- although when he plays football he doesn't seem to be from this planet."

(With AFP inputs)