What to expect from Lionel Messi’s big ‘owambe’ wedding in Argentina

Football superstar, Lionel Messi, is set to get married to his longtime heartthrob, Antonella Roccuzzo, later today, June 30 in Rosario, Argentina.

The pair already have two sons; four-year-old Thiago and one-year-old Mateo.

Messi and Antonella with their sons

Thiago and Mateo’s parents are now taking the big step into marital bliss and it is expected to be one of Latin America’s biggest weddings in recent times.

First, the venue comes complete with a five-star hotel where guests are expected to be lodged. It also has spa as well as its own casino.

A view of part of the venue

The 188-room Pullman Hotel inside the complex charges from almost £100 a night for the most affordable room.

And once there’s a venue, what’s an owambe without food?

Messi has reportedly asked chefs to cook local delicacies such as ‘locro’ stew and ’empanada’ pasties for the feast.

Locro

Okay, we may not be familiar with all that, but there’s the star dish which is a typical Argentine beef roast including chitterlings, gizzards and kidneys.

Next is the guests. A number of former and current Barcelona players have arrived for the wedding.

They include former captain, Xavi.

Xavi

Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas arrived with Barcelona players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Fabregas started out in the Barcelona academy along with Messi and had a second stint at the Nou Camp with the senior team

Barca legend, Carles Puyol and former striker, Samuel Eto’o are among the party in Argentina for the wedding

Also expected is Barca defender, Gerard Pique and his music star partner, Shakira.

Pique and Shakira have a child together

It remains to be seen if Shakira would perform at the wedding however.

One person billed to perform, though, is Sergio Aguero‘s wife, Karina; so Aguero will be attending the wedding too.

Aguero and Karina

Evidently, the football star has spared no expense to make the day most memorable for him and Antonella.

They’ve known each other for over two decades

Messi and Antonella, who’s also a Rosario native like Messi, have known each other since he was five years old, but only started dating in 2008.