“The wedding of the century” in Argentina, as Lionel Messi married long-time partner Antonella Roccuzzo.
Messi married his childhood sweetheart in a civil ceremony at a luxury hotel in the heart of Rosario.
Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero strutted their stuff on the red carpet, to celebrate the marriage of Barcelona superstar Messi to the mother of his three children.
Over 250 guests attended the ceremony, with a host of Barcelona and Premier League stars past and present turning out on the red carpet.
Lionel Messi and his bride seal it with a kiss
The happy couple
Former teammate Samuel Eto’o was among the first to arrive
Cesc Fabregas and his wife
Sergio Aguero in attendance
Ex-Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez waves to the crowd
Former Barcelona stars Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Carles Puyol, with their partners
Samuel Eto’o was the first guest to walk along the red carpet, past the waiting press at the plush hotel complex, at which over 400 police are on duty.
Argentina’s Clarín newspaper has called the wedding both “the wedding of the year” and “the wedding of the century”.
Crowds have gathered both at the local airport, awaiting the stars arriving in private jets, and also outside the Rosario hotel, adorning the streets in a bid to catch a glimpse of hometown hero Messi.
And after the ceremony, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and his wife posed on the red carpet themselves for the Argentina star’s adoring fans.
Messi and his wife pose for photographers
Messi and his new wife
Posing for photographers on the red carpet
All smiles
The bride wore an exclusive, exquisitely detailed mermaid-style gown, designed by Rosa Clara, for the ceremony.
Ezequiel Lavezzi has made the trip from China for the wedding
Maria Sol, sister of Lionel Messi, arrives earlier in the day
Gift bag for guests
Messi and his wife met in Rosario and have been inseparable since first crossing paths as teenagers. They have three sons together.
Messi, who moved to Spain at the age of 13 and has lived in Barcelona since, arrived home to a new mural in his honour, created in anticipation of his wedding.
The entire area will be closed off to the public for the duration of the wedding.
