Lionel Messi is taking a well-deserved break and enjoying some relaxation after his recent injury.
Following a ligament injury sustained during the Copa América final on July 14, Messi, aged 37, set off for a leisurely day on the water with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. On July 22, Roccuzzo, 36, shared a series of vacation photos on Instagram, capturing their sun-soaked outing.
In the first image, the couple, married since 2017, are seen aboard a yacht. Roccuzzo is striking in a bright pink bikini, while Messi is beside her in red swim trunks. Although Roccuzzo’s hair is visibly damp from a swim, Messi appears to be focusing on his recovery, sporting a boot on his injured foot.
The couple’s group also included Messi’s Inter Miami teammate, Uruguayan soccer star Luis Suárez, his wife Sofia Balbi, and her sister, Brazilian motocross racer Mariana Balbi, who was accompanied by her partner.
Roccuzzo further shared Messi’s relaxed state on her Instagram Stories, posting a video of him lounging on a sofa with his foot in a brace while enjoying a drink.
The vacation comes in the wake of Messi’s triumph in the Copa América, where Argentina clinched victory over Colombia with a 1-0 scoreline. Following the historic win, Messi expressed his gratitude to his family in a heartfelt Instagram post featuring himself with Roccuzzo and their three sons: Thiago, 11, Mateo, 8, and Ciro, 6.
Roccuzzo also showed her support by celebrating the win with her own social media posts. “CHAMPIONS OF AMERICA 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷 LET’S GO ARGENTINA!!!” she captioned, alongside photos of the family in matching jerseys.
Messi’s achievements are not only celebrated by his family but also acknowledged by his peers. David Beckham, a former soccer player and co-owner of Inter Miami FC, shared his excitement about Messi joining his team. In an interview with The Times of London in November, Beckham, 49, reflected on the significance of bringing Messi to the U.S. after a competitive bidding process.
Beckham revealed his concerns during the negotiations, especially when Barcelona, Messi’s long-time club, showed interest. “The time I got a bit worried was when Barcelona showed interest. The club obviously pulls on his heartstrings, and he never really got to say the goodbye he deserved there,” Beckham explained, referencing Messi’s 17-year tenure with the club.
Discussing Messi’s reported $20.4 million contract with Inter Miami, Beckham expressed his thrill at securing the soccer star. “It still gives me goosebumps,” he said, highlighting the impact of Messi’s move on the sport.
As Messi continues to recover and enjoy his vacation, his family and peers celebrate his remarkable contributions to soccer and look forward to his return to the field.
