Kaylah Walton
Mateo Messi celebrated his ninth birthday on Wednesday, with his mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, sharing heartwarming pictures on Instagram to mark the occasion with her 40 million followers.
The post quickly drew attention from fans who were eager to see a glimpse into the Messi family’s life.
Antonela uploaded three photos: two recent ones and a nostalgic throwback of young Mateo joyfully holding onto the net of their goal in Barcelona.
The nostalgic image, showcasing Mateo‘s cheerful smile, particularly warmed fans’ hearts.
“Happy birthday Matu, we love you so much!!!! Thank you for making us so happy every day! 9 years,” was the heartfelt caption.
The post rapidly garnered over half a million likes, with many followers sending their birthday wishes.
One comment read, “Happy birthday to the future champion!!! May God bless and protect him always!!!”
Another fan remarked, “Anto, Mateo is starting to look more like your dad every day. Can it be? A kiss, happy birthday!!!”
Mateo Messi: A Social Media Star
Mateo, who was born in Barcelona, like his two brothers, moved to France when his dad, Lionel Messi, joined Paris Saint-Germain. The family later relocated to Miami in 2023 after Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami.
Apart from his birthday festivities, Mateo is also a hit on social media, often joining in on popular football challenges.
In March, he shared a video in which he identified football players based on letters displayed on the screen, confidently selecting an Argentine player for the letter ‘F’.
His charming personality and sense of humor shine through in various media appearances.
A moment from the Apple TV+ documentary Messi Comes to America captured the family entering the Florida Blue Training Center for the kids’ training. When Antonela asked Mateo if he was looking forward to the training, he replied with his usual wit.
“Yes, if it’s compulsory,” he joked.
