Lionel Messi weds childhood sweetheart today

Football superstar Lionel Messi will marry his childhood sweetheart in his hometown in Argentina on Friday (today).

The Barcelona player is returning to the city of Rosario to wed Antonella Roccuzzo, whom he met there before he moved to Spain aged 13.

Argentine newspaper Clarín has called it “the wedding of the year” and even “the wedding of the century.”

The 30-year-old world-rated footballer and his bride, 29-year-old Antonella Roccuzzo have been in the relationship since 2008.

Messi’s teammates, including Luis Suárez and Neymar, will be among the 260 guests, it said. Many have flown in on private jets.

Extra police officers have been drafted in to ensure security is maintained around the hotel, while a private security firm will work inside to keep out any potential gate crashers.

Around 150 journalists have received accreditation to enter a special press area, but will not have full access to the venue, said organisers.

Antonella Roccuzzo, an Argentino model, is the cousin of his best friend, Lucas Scaglia, who also became a professional football player.

Messi accepted an offer to play for Barcelona when he was 13, on condition they pay for treatment for his growth hormone deficiency.

He has spoken about the difficulties he faced on leaving behind his loved ones and former club.

The couple, who now live in Barcelona, have two sons together.

The event will take place at Rosario’s City Center hotel complex, which has an adjoining casino.

Roccuzzo is expected to wear a dress by Rosa Clara, a Barcelona-based designer who has dressed actress Eva Longoria and Spain’s Queen Letizia.

Aside from a “sushi station”, the menu is a very Argentine affair, including empanadas (traditional pasties) and all parts of the cow, from a casserole of sweetbreads to blood sausage.

Messi is reported to have invited the Barcelona squad, including Gerald Piqué and his pop-star wife Shakira. Shakira is rumoured to have declined attending the wedding, ostensibly because of a disagreement between her and Roccuzzo.

Teammates from Argentina’s national team, including Sergio Agüero, will also be present.

Clarín reported that he has not invited any of his recent coaches, including Pep Guardiola, who is now at Manchester City.

Argentina’s other big football legend, Diego Maradona, is also not on the list, according to the local press.

Messi is known locally simply as Lío; and he has been a local hero since his days as a star player for Newell’s Old Boys.

The team has a staunch rivalry with nearby Rosario Central, similar to that of Boca Juniors and River Plate in Buenos Aires.

Since moving to Spain, Messi has won a record-breaking five FIFA Ballon d’Or awards.