Messi marries childhood sweetheart Antonella in hometown of Rosario

Lionel Messi married his longtime girlfriend, Antonella Roccuzzo, whom he met when he was just five years old, at a ceremony in Rosario, Argentina, on Friday before some 260 guests and 150 assembled media.

Among those who attended the special function between the two childhood sweethearts were Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Neymar, Sergio Busquets, and Gerard Pique. Ex-Barcelona captains Carles Puyol and Xavi, Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, and fellow Argentinian international Sergio Aguero were also present.

Dubbed the "wedding of the century" by the local press, Messi and Roccuzzo drew hundreds of onlookers outside the venue. The wedding took place at a casino-hotel close to Rosario's poorest neighbourhood.

Messi first met Roccuzzo through a childhood friend, Lucas Scaglia, who is her cousin. Even after Messi moved to Barcelona at age 13 to receive growth hormone treatment, "the couple kept in touch," wrote Agence France-Presse reporter Paula Bustamente.

The couple has had two children in the time since, Thiago and Mateo. Without any international or club obligations this month, Messi found the perfect time to tie the knot.

After the ceremony, Lionel and Antonella walked along the red carpet and posed for photographers.

Despite now living in Barcelona, they decided to come home to Argentina and celebrate their marriage with relatives and close friends.