Messi’s Children in 2025: Ages, Lives, and What We Know

If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen the videos: a small boy in a “Messi 10” jersey effortlessly dribbles through a crowd of other kids. That’s not a throwback clip of Lionel Messi; it’s one of his three sons. As we head into 2025, those viral moments have become a real story of legacy and family. So, who exactly are the young players at the heart of soccer’s most-watched family?

Lionel Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, have three boys, each with a distinct place in the family. Here are the full names of Messi’s kids and how old they will be through 2025:

• Thiago Messi Roccuzzo (Born Nov 2, 2012): Will turn 13 in 2025.
• Mateo Messi Roccuzzo (Born Sep 11, 2015): Will turn 10 in 2025.
• Ciro Messi Roccuzzo (Born Mar 10, 2018): Will turn 7 in 2025.

While they share a famous last name, public moments and Messi’s own interviews reveal their very different personalities. Thiago is often seen as the thoughtful, reserved older brother who truly loves the game. Mateo is famously the fiery, hilarious competitor of the family, while Ciro, the youngest, is still carving out his own character before the world’s eyes.

What Does “Playing for the Inter Miami Academy” Really Mean?

You might hear that both Thiago and Mateo Messi are now part of the “Inter Miami Youth Academy,” but what does that actually mean? It’s much more than just being on a local kids’ team. A youth academy is an official soccer school run by the professional club itself—in this case, Inter Miami. Getting a spot is highly selective, signaling that the club sees genuine potential and is ready to invest in a young player’s development.

For the boys, this provides a level of training most kids their age never experience. Instead of a volunteer parent, their coaches are professionals who specialize in developing elite young talent. They practice at high-quality facilities and play in organized, competitive leagues against other top youth squads. This structured environment is a world away from the casual fun of a neighborhood team, designed specifically to nurture promising players for a future in the sport.

Ultimately, joining a club’s official academy is the first major step on the long road to a professional soccer career. It places a player on a clear development path, a ladder they can climb within the organization. While nothing is guaranteed at such a young age, being in the Inter Miami Youth Academy gives Thiago and Mateo a genuine, structured opportunity to one day play at the highest level—perhaps even for the same team their father leads.

Thiago Messi (The Eldest): Is He Following in His Father’s Footsteps?

As the oldest of the three boys, Thiago, who turns 13 in 2025, naturally draws the most attention. He plays for a competitive team within the Inter Miami academy, taking a serious and focused approach to his training. For anyone watching from the sidelines, it’s clear he has inherited a natural feel for the game. But what’s fascinating about Thiago’s journey is that it almost didn’t happen.

Unlike the storybook tale you might imagine, Thiago wasn’t born with a ball permanently attached to his feet. In fact, Lionel Messi has openly shared that his eldest son wasn’t particularly interested in soccer at first. He had to be encouraged to join a team with his friends. This initial reluctance makes his current commitment all the more meaningful; he is on this path because he chose it, not simply because it was expected of him.

On the field, observers note that Thiago plays a different game than the one that made his father famous. While Lionel Messi was known for his dazzling, high-speed dribbling, Thiago appears to be a more thoughtful and intelligent player. He focuses on smart positioning and clever passes, seeming to read the game and think a step ahead. It’s a style that suggests he’s not just trying to be the next Messi, but the first Thiago.

Mateo Messi (The Competitor): Why Do Fans Love His Fiery Personality?

If Thiago is the calm and composed older brother, then Mateo Messi is the family’s spark plug. Turning 10 years old in 2025, Mateo has built a huge following among fans not just for his soccer skills, but for his hilariously competitive and often cheeky personality. He is the wildcard of the Messi brothers, and his antics have become legendary in their own right.

Nothing captures his spirit better than a famous story Lionel Messi himself has shared in interviews. To playfully annoy his father and older brother, Mateo would sometimes celebrate goals scored by rival teams. Imagine a young Messi, in a house dedicated to one club, cheering for the opposition just to get a rise out of his family. It’s this mischievous, competitive fire that makes him such a beloved character.

This personality translates directly to the soccer field. Where Thiago is often described as a thinker who reads the game, Mateo is a doer. He plays with an aggressive, direct style, full of energy and a clear love for taking opponents on. Viral clips often show him dribbling with determination and scoring goals with a passionate celebration to match. Ultimately, the distinct approaches of Thiago and Mateo prove there is no single “Messi mold.” One is the strategist, the other the warrior.

Ciro Messi (The Youngest): What Do We Know About the Third Brother?

As the world watches his older brothers, a third brother, Ciro, is just beginning to make his mark. Turning seven years old in 2025, he is just now entering the world of organized sports. While fans have seen glimpses of Ciro kicking a ball around, his journey is at a completely different stage, offering a fresh look at the Messi family life in Miami.

Unlike Thiago and Mateo, who are part of the formal Inter Miami academy, Ciro’s football activities are focused on the absolute basics. At this age, development isn’t about scoring goals in a competitive league; it’s about learning to love the game, developing coordination, and having fun with friends. His experience is less about formal training and more about the pure joy of childhood play.

Naturally, the world is curious about Ciro Messi’s football skills, but it’s far too early to make any assessments. For now, he is simply a little boy discovering a passion. This gentle, low-pressure start is no accident, as it reflects the deliberate approach his parents take in raising their children under a global spotlight.

The “Soccer Dad” Effect: How Messi and Antonela Navigate Unprecedented Pressure

This deliberate, gentle approach isn’t a coincidence; it’s the core of the family’s philosophy. For most parents, seeing their child succeed in a hobby is a private joy. For the Messi family, every goal Thiago scores or impressive dribble Mateo makes becomes global news. Lionel Messi has been clear in interviews that he will never pressure his sons to follow in his footsteps. His only wish, he says, is for them to be happy and to pursue what they love, whether that’s on a soccer pitch or not. This mindset is central to the Messi family life in Miami, where they aim to balance extraordinary opportunities with a grounded childhood.

A huge part of creating that normal life is credited to Antonela Roccuzzo. Often seen on the sidelines with Messi, she is the anchor of the family, focused on shielding the boys from the more intense aspects of their father’s fame. While Messi provides the blueprint of a legendary athlete, the daily work of Antonela Roccuzzo and the kids involves school runs, playdates, and maintaining a routine that feels as normal as possible. Both parents are a regular presence at the academy games, not as a global icon and his wife, but simply as a supportive mom and dad cheering from the stands.

Ultimately, while the world speculates on whether Messi’s sons will play for Argentina or which professional club they might join, that conversation misses the point for their parents. The real challenge isn’t about producing the next soccer dynasty; it’s about raising happy, well-adjusted children under a global microscope. For a family that has already achieved everything in the world of sports, success is now measured not in trophies, but in their children’s freedom to forge their own paths.

Beyond the Legacy: What Really Matters for the Messi Children

Beneath the viral clips and media headlines lies a story that is less about creating a football dynasty and more about family. The intrigue surrounding the next generation of Messi footballers often overlooks the distinct individuals at its heart: Thiago, the thoughtful strategist; Mateo, the fiery competitor; and Ciro, the youngest brother just starting his journey.

A complete guide to the Messi children reveals that their development is taking place in a professional, yet protected, environment at the Inter Miami academy. However, the guiding principle set by their parents is that joy in the game must always come before the pressure to win. While it is tempting to speculate about Thiago Messi’s potential future, the family’s focus remains firmly on a grounded and happy childhood.

The world will always search for the next Messi. But the more human story is that of a father and mother focused on raising well-adjusted kids. The real question isn’t whether these boys will fill their father’s legendary shoes, but how a family’s love and support helps them chart their own unique paths, on or off the field.