Lionel Messi may not have ended his final World Cup the way he dreamed, but he still has something many people yearn for - love. After stepping off the field for what many believe is his last World Cup in tears, his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, proved she will continue to be by his side during the highs and lows.
© ZUMA Press, Inc.After Argentina fell to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, 1-0, Roccuzzo shared an emotional tribute to her husband, praising not only his talent but the resilience he's shown throughout his legendary career.
"You'll always be the best," she wrote on Instagram alongside two photos of Messi after the defeat. "But not only because of your talent, but because you never stopped being yourself," she continued. The first image showed Messi standing on the field with a silver medal around his neck.
© GettyThe second captured a much happier moment from earlier in the tournament, when his teammates lifted him into the air following Argentina's quarterfinal victory over Egypt.
Roccuzzo continued, "Because no matter what happens, you never give up. You always fight until the end and give everything you have until the very last second," she wrote. "That strength, that mentality and the way you get back up again and again are what make you unique."
She also thanked the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner for the example he sets for their family.
© Getty Images"Thank you for teaching us every day that true success is built through hard work, sacrifice, perseverance and never losing who you are," Roccuzzo wrote. "You are the greatest example for our children and an inspiration to millions of people."
"I admire you more than words can express, and I'm incredibly proud to walk through life by your side," she continued, ending it with, "I love you so much."
Roccuzzo and the couple's three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, were fixtures in the stands throughout Argentina's World Cup run, cheering Messi on every step of the way.
Just days before the final, after Argentina defeated England to book its place in the championship match, she celebrated on social media, writing, "Thank God!!! Let's go Argentina!!!! To the Final!!!!!!"
© Getty ImagesStill a World Cup champion
© FIFA via Getty ImagesAfter Messi finally lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022, Roccuzzo shared another tribute celebrating. "We are World Champions," she wrote at the time. "Thank you for teaching us never to give up, that you have to fight until the very end. We know everything you suffered for so many years and how badly you wanted this."
While Messi didn't win gold, he's still cemented himself in history as one of the best soccer players of all time.
