Lionel Messi has piled on the muscle mass in the gym as he trains ahead of the next Major League Soccer season for Inter Miami alongside his long-time partner, Antonela Roccuzzo, who also looks to be in fine shape.
The Argentinian isn’t known for being built like a tank, as it was part of the juxtaposition between he and Cristiano Ronaldo‘s playing styles across their famous soccer rivalry that dominated world football for 15 years. Messi was known for his slim frame whilst the Portuguese forward was typically viewed with the “athletic” body.
But in a post to Instagram, the FIFA World Cup winner showed how he has flipped that perspective as he flexes his abdominals and biceps.
American sports have a reputation for their emphasis on keeping peak physical condition, with major athletes such as Lebron James making it a central philosophy of his career, and now aged 36, Messi seems to be doing the same.
He could have the 2026 FIFA World Cup in mind, which he will enter as a defending champion with Argentina, thus aims to add muscle strength to prevent injury during physical battles on the field with younger players.
He will be 39/40 when the tournament takes place in North America and it’s likely that it will be his last appearance in soccer’s top prize, and he looks to be doing all he can to savour it.
Roccuzzo’s fine shape
Messi‘s wife looks very slender, like a cat-walk model, which is impressive after having three children in 11 years. From her photos, you wouldn’t even be able to tell that she ever went through pregnancy although it has been six years since her last birth.
It’s the second time in a matter of days that they’ve showed off their physiques, after Roccuzzo posted a mirror selfie in a pink bikini with Messi appearing in the reflection.
The post showed her slim legs, stomach and arms whilst showing off her chest as she captioned the story on Instagram, “Veranito modo on”, which translates to “Summer mode on”.