Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi and wife Antonela Roccuzzo kiss at their wedding in Rosario, Argentina, Friday. ReutersRosario, Argentina: Some of the biggest names in world football gathered in Argentina on Friday to see Barcelona striker Lionel Messi wed his long-time girlfriend Antonela Roccuzzo.
Past and present Barcelona teammates Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano, Neymar and Luis Suarez were all there, as was Gerard Pique and his pop star wife Shakira.
Several Premier League players were also among the 260 guests, including Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero.
An extra 350 police were drafted in to provide security for the event, which took place in Rosario, the city where Messi grew up before heading to Barcelona, where he has spent a playing career that has included winning FIFA's World Player of the Year trophy five times.
The city is in the heart of Argentina's bread basket but drug trafficking in the region has grown in recent years and the homicide rate has soared.
-
Messi's wedding
Soccer star Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo pose at their wedding in Rosario, Argentina, on Friday. Reuters
![Messi's wedding]()
-
Messi's wedding
Soccer star Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo kiss as they pose at their wedding in Rosario, Argentina, on Friday. Reuters
![Messi's wedding]()
-
Messi's wedding
From left: Lionel Messi's former Barcelona FC teammates - Xavi Hernandez and his wife Nuria Cunillera, Cesc Fabregas and his wife Daniella Semaan and Carles Puyol and wife Vanessa Lorenzo - pose for photographers as they arrive at the wedding of Messi. Reuters
![Messi's wedding]()
-
Messi's wedding
Maria Sol Messi, sister of Lionel Messi, arrives to the hotel where her brother and Antonela Roccuzzo's wedding took place in Rosario, Argentina. Reuters
![Messi's wedding]()
-
Messi's wedding
Lionel Messi's former Barcelona FC teammate Cesc Fabregas and his wife Daniella Semaan pose for photographers as they arrive for the wedding of the Argentine superstar. Reuters
![Messi's wedding]()
-
Messi's wedding
Argentine footballer Ezequiel Lavezzi and his girlfriend Yanina Screpante pose for photographers as they arrive for the wedding of Lionel Messi. Reuters
![Messi's wedding]()
Messi met Roccuzzo, who is also from Rosario, when they were growing up. The couple have two children, Thiago, 4, and Mateo, 21 months.
