Three very important supporters cheered Lionel Messi on as he helped Argentina defeat France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup: his sons Mateo, Thiago and Ciro.

After the match, the footballer, who scored two goals in the thrilling duel, spent a nice moment with two of his children.  His sons wore shirts with their father’s name and number (10) on the back and gave him a hug.  His mother, Antоnella Rоccuzzо, who later shared a series of adorable photographs of the family celebration, and his younger brother soon joined them.

Roccuzzo said: “I don’t even know how to start,” as she captioned a collection of photos that included Messi, herself and their three children.  “We are so proud of you @leomessi.  We appreciate you teaching us to never give up and to persevere until the end.  You are a world champion and we are aware of the hardships you endured and the goals you set for yourself.  Thank you!”

In 2012, Messi and Roccuzzo’s first son, Thiago, was born.  The two had been friends since childhood and then got back in touch in 2005. Mateo, their second son, arrived in 2015 and Ciro, their third son, arrived in 2018.

The athlete later told FC Barcelona that becoming a father completely altered his perspective.  When he mentioned that in 2017 “you grow and you learn”, “off the field and in other facets of life, you accumulate experience.  However, having three children altered my vision of life and my thought process and at the same time fostered my personal development.”

Messi told reporters that although it was not his first World Cup appearance, the experience was much more special because his boys could now “enjoy it more.”

After beating Australia in the round of 16, he said: “From the beginning, from the start to the final whistle, I am thinking about my children,” according to The at Еlético.  “They are becoming more senior.  They appreciate it more and have a greater understanding of what is happening.”