The Rise of Mateo Messi: Future Star

What’s it like growing up as the son of a global icon? For Lionel Messi’s middle son, Mateo, it means stealing the spotlight in the most hilarious ways imaginable. While his father is celebrated for his magic on the football field, Mateo has become an internet star for a completely different reason: his legendarily mischievous personality.

The stories that built his reputation are even better, often shared by Messi himself. The funniest moments of Messi’s son usually come from watching games at home, where his reactions have spawned viral videos of Messi’s family. In one famous interview, the football legend detailed how Mateo playfully uses sports to become the family’s lovable troll.

For example, he’ll celebrate goals scored against his dad’s team just to annoy his older brother, Thiago. According to Messi, Mateo even took it a step further. While watching a game with his family, he started cheering for Real Madrid—one of his dad’s biggest historic rivals—purely to get a reaction out of everyone.

This cheeky behavior is exactly why Lionel Messi’s son’s personality has captured the public’s imagination. Messi himself confirmed the stories with a laugh, calling Mateo “a character” and a “little terror.” It’s this unfiltered, funny, and deeply relatable glimpse into a superstar’s home life that has made Mateo an icon in his own right.

What Are Mateo’s Funniest Moments Caught on Camera?

While his father creates magic on the field, Mateo’s most memorable moments happen in the stands. His candid reactions, often caught by television cameras during high-stakes games, have turned him into a viral sensation beloved by fans and non-fans alike.

One of the most defining Mateo clips shows him erupting in celebration after a play. The hilarious twist? He was cheering for an opponent who had just missed a shot against his father’s team. The moment of pure, contrary chaos, with Lionel Messi shaking his head and laughing beside him, perfectly encapsulates the mischievous personality he’s known for.

His antics aren’t always about playful sabotage, though. During Argentina’s historic 2022 World Cup run, cameras frequently found Mateo living every moment with dramatic flair. He was seen with his head in his hands in mock despair one minute, then leaping out of his seat with uncontainable joy the next, becoming a mini-mascot for the rollercoaster of emotions felt by the entire nation.

These public performances are often supervised by his mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, who can be seen laughing and trying to gently manage the whirlwind of energy beside her. It’s a hilarious and humanizing glimpse into the world’s most famous football family. But Mateo isn’t the only Messi son in the spotlight. How does his personality compare to his older and younger brothers?

How Does Mateo Compare to His Brothers, Thiago and Ciro?

Mateo’s chaotic energy stands in hilarious contrast to his older brother, Thiago, born in 2012. Where Mateo is a whirlwind of mischief, Thiago is known for being calmer, more sensitive, and a genuine, thoughtful fan of football. Lionel Messi has described Thiago as being more like himself—quiet and reserved. While Mateo uses football to tease his family, Thiago is the one who truly analyzes the games and gets upset when his dad’s team doesn’t play well.

Completing the trio is the youngest, Ciro, who was born in 2018. As the baby of the family, Ciro is often seen toddling along with his older brothers, looking up to them both. While less is known about his personality, his parents have hinted that he’s developing a strong character of his own. In family photos and videos, he’s the adorable little brother just trying to keep up with Thiago’s thoughtfulness and Mateo’s antics.

The sibling dynamic creates a perfect snapshot of classic birth order archetypes, making their family life all the more relatable. You can essentially break down their roles like this:

• Thiago (The Elder): The thoughtful and responsible football purist.
• Mateo (The Middle): The scene-stealing, boundary-pushing entertainer.
• Ciro (The Youngest): The sweet and observant baby of the family.

While their personalities differ greatly, all three boys are growing up completely immersed in the world of football. They’re a constant presence at their dad’s games and have been kicking a ball around since they could walk. This naturally leads fans to wonder: with all that famous energy, does Mateo actually play the game himself?

Does Mateo Actually Play Football? A Look at His Left Foot

The short answer is a resounding yes. With a father like Lionel Messi, it’s almost impossible to avoid having a football at your feet. Mateo, along with his brothers, is enrolled in the Inter Miami Academy, the youth program associated with his dad’s current team. Viral clips often show him on the field after games, confidently dribbling a ball and taking shots on goal, proving his playful antics aren’t his only connection to the sport.

Beyond just playing, a fascinating detail has captured fans’ attention: Mateo is left-footed, just like his father. In the world of football, being naturally left-footed is less common and is often seen as a special trait—and it’s the very trait that has made his dad’s talent so legendary. While it’s just a fun coincidence for now, seeing Mateo guide the ball with the same foot as the world’s most famous “lefty” adds another layer to his public appeal.

Despite these early signs of talent and charming similarities, his parents have made it clear there is zero pressure on him or his brothers to follow in their father’s enormous footsteps. For the Messi family, football for the kids is about having fun, learning to be part of a team, and simply enjoying the game. The goal isn’t to create the next superstar, but to let their sons be kids.

This focus on enjoyment over professional ambition gives fans a refreshing look into the family’s values. It also highlights the humorous contrast between Mateo’s on-field potential and his off-field reputation as the family’s lovable troublemaker. But what do his parents really think about raising a boy with such a mischievous spirit?

What Do Lionel Messi and Antonela Say About Their ‘Terrible’ Son?

When it comes to describing his middle son, Lionel Messi doesn’t hold back—though always with a smile. In interviews, he has lovingly referred to Mateo as “terrible, a real character,” confirming the public’s perception of his son’s mischievous nature. Far from being frustrated, Messi often sounds like any parent sharing a funny story, explaining that Mateo’s antics are a constant source of entertainment in their home. The picture he paints is of a boy who loves to push buttons and make his family laugh.

That playful label isn’t just for show. Messi has shared specific anecdotes that reveal the hilarious details of his son’s personality. One famous story involves Mateo deliberately cheering for teams that beat his father’s club, just to tease his dad and older brother, Thiago. “He’ll celebrate Real Madrid goals to annoy his brother,” Messi once said, explaining how Mateo plays the villain at home for fun. This glimpse into the Lionel Messi family life shows a dynamic that anyone with a sibling can understand.

His mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, is just as amused. While Messi tells the stories in interviews, Antonela often shares the evidence on social media. Her posts for Mateo’s birthday frequently include loving captions about his high energy and “crazy” personality, often accompanied by photos or videos of him dancing or making funny faces. Together, their comments show that Mateo’s spirit isn’t a problem to be managed but a quality to be celebrated. This combination of playful chaos and genuine family love is a huge part of his appeal.

Why the World Really Loves Mateo Messi

The phenomenon of Mateo Messi is about more than just a famous footballer’s son. He has become the hilarious co-star in a story that makes one of the world’s biggest celebrities feel like any other dad trying to keep up with his unpredictable child.

Mateo’s popularity isn’t built on his future potential on the field, but on his personality in the present. He perfectly embodies the universal “chaotic child” archetype—the family comedian and lovable troll—a character that people find endlessly relatable and entertaining. His cheeky grin and the amused eye-rolls from his father offer a story about personality, not just performance.

Ultimately, the global fascination with Mateo Messi offers more than just a laugh. It provides a welcome glimpse of simple, human joy. Behind the global fame and stadium lights is a story of parenthood, sibling dynamics, and playful chaos that connects with families everywhere.