World Cup 2018: Lionel Messi’s wife Antonella Roccuzzo arrives to cheer him on in Argentina’s crunch World Cup clash with Nigeria
South American talisman will have his wife watching from the stands in St Petersburg amid claims she watched convinced him not to walk out of squad last week
LIONEL MESSI will have his wife Antonella Roccuzzo cheering him on tonight as the superstar aims to save Argentina’s World Cup dreams.
The 30-year-old, who tied the knot with the Barcelona legend in May 2017, has watched the Albiceste’s dreadful campaign in Russia from the couple’s homeland in her birthplace of Rosario, Santa Fe.
But she will be in St Petersburg for the crunch showdown with Nigeria that Messi and Co must win following their draw with Iceland and woeful 3-0 defeat to Croatia.
Argentina are desperately hoping the arrival of Antonella will help inspire their talisman following a disappointing showing so far, which includes a missed penalty in their opening game.
The partner of arguably the greatest-ever footballer explained her absence from the tournament last week.
Antonella said: “I did not go because I have very young children and because it was scheduled like this.
“Moreover, I want to enjoy some time with my family who I am not going to see until December.”
If Messi produces the goods and manages to secure Argentina’s passage into the knockout stages then Antonella's support will not be the only thing the South American nation have to thank her for.
claim she talked her husband out of quitting the World Cup.
The Spanish publication claim he arrived at the tournament with an “intestinal squeeze” and that problems between the forward and coach Jorge Sampaoli began to increase following the 1-1 draw with Iceland.
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup
LATEST WORLD CUP 2018 NEWS
They allegedly increased ten-fold after the embarrassment against Croatia and Messi was ready to walk out.
However, Roccuzzo spent some time with the star along with their two sons and persuaded him to change his mind.
Messi has previously quit the national side before for a short period in June 2016 before reversing his decision to help them qualify for Russia.
Speculation is mounting that he will announce his international retirement at the end of this tournament.