Messi to marry longtime girlfriend: reports

One for the album
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates with his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo and children after winning the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla in Madrid on May 22, 2016. Getty Images

Barcelona: Football superstar Lionel Messi and longtime girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo have decided to get married, according to Spanish media reports.

The couple will take the leap at a time convenient to Messi's footballing career, which can either be the summer or winter of 2017, according to Spanish daily Marca on Wednesday.

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The report adds that they have been mulling over the idea for some time.

The star wedding will most likely be in his native Argentina, where he met Roccuzzo when they were both youngsters.

Messi and Roccuzzo
Lionel Messi and his partner Antonella Roccuzzo attend the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 in Zurich on January 11, 2016. Getty Images

The nature of the couple's relationship was made public in 2007, with the model moving to Barcelona in 2010. They have two children, Thiago, four, and Mateo, one.

A raft of his FC Barcelona clubmates and staff are expected to attend the special day when it happens.

(With agency inputs)