Messi weds childhood sweetheart

Lionel Messi said "I do" to childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo Friday in his Argentine hometown Rosario, where footballers and celebrities including pop singer Shakira had gathered for the "wedding of the century." Following the private ceremony the couple appeared happy and relaxed 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 and her husband, 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.

Argentina players at Messi's wedding pic.twitter.com/4JVlMh4ZtL

— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) June 30, 2017

The party was to be a respite for Messi from his legal woes. A Spanish court last month rejected his appeal against a conviction for tax fraud. 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. Shakira had recently denied rumors that she would miss the wedding due to a quarrel with Roccuzzo.

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Also Read: Messi’s bride Antonella, ‘first lady of football’

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

Jorge Messi (Leo's father): "This (wedding) is the most important game in Leo's life." pic.twitter.com/aU4tDp75gK— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) July 1, 2017

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. Instead of wedding presents, they have asked for donations to a children's charity. 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.

No shortage of star power at the Messi wedding. pic.twitter.com/2kngzU3r6N

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 1, 2017

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."

Messi and Antonela... Perfection! #MessiWedding pic.twitter.com/GOVzDvnoiY— Iamsunita (@Sue_Barcachick) July 1, 2017