There is a different side to Lionel Messi, one that not everyone gets to see.
The player who shines with the ball by his feet appears to be extremely shy off the field. But the timid-looking Argentina star, who for years has been attracting the world’s attention because of his mind-boggling soccer skills, is an outgoing, cheerful and humorous character when he is among those he knows and trusts.
It’s the lighthearted and extroverted version of Messi that will be the center of attention on Friday in his hometown of Rosario when he marries 29-year-old Antonella Roccuzzo, his childhood sweetheart and mother of his two children.
The wedding is a highly anticipated event in the central Argentine city, located about 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of the capital of Buenos Aires, although the public is not expected to have any access to the festivities.
About 250 guests, including some current and former teammates, are expected to attend the ceremony in a five-star hotel that overlooks the city’s largest shantytown. Special security measures are expected to be in place as guests begin arriving for the event.
Among those expected to attend are Barcelona teammates Neymar, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique. Colombian singer Shakira, Pique’s wife, is also expected at the ceremony.
Organizers said personal hairdressers will be available for the guests, along with entertainment services for their children. About 150 journalists will be allowed to cover the wedding under very strict rules, without any direct access to the ceremony or the party.
Messi and Roccuzzo have requested that wedding gifts come in the form of donations to the Leo Messi Foundation.
Messi is already in Rosario on vacation, but hasn’t made any public appearances. He was in the city to celebrate his 30th birthday this week.
Best photos of Lionel Messi throughout the years
Courtesy of the Messi family
A young Lionel Messi poses for a photo in Argentina circa 1993.
Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring Argentina’s second goal against Venezuela during a South American Under-20 Championship game on Jan. 13, 2005 in Armenia, Colombia.
Fernando Vergara/AP
Lionel Messi flips into a pool during a relaxed practice of Argentina’s Under-20 soccer team on Jan. 14, 2005 in Pereira, Colombia.
Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images
Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy after Argentina won the FIFA World Youth Championships over Nigeria on July 2, 2005 in Utrecht, Netherlands.
AFP/Getty Images
Lionel Messi poses with the Golden Boy trophy awarded by Italian magazine ‘Tuttosport’ distinguishing the best player under-21 on Dec. 14, 2005 in Barcelona, Spain.
Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Rafael Marquez celebrate after defeating Espanyol to win the Spanish League on May 6, 2006 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.
Bas Czerwinski/AP
Khalid Boulahrouz and Lionel Messi challenge for the ball during the World Cup Group C soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina on June 21, 2006 at the World Cup stadium in Frankfurt, Germany.
Jordi Cotrina/AP
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores with his hand during a Spanish League match against Espanyol on June 9, 2007 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Messi continued to draw comparisons with Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona who scored in similar fashion during a quarterfinal World Cup match against England in 1986.
Bob Rosato for Sports Illustrated
Argentina’s Lionel Messi plays the ball during the 2008 Summer Olympics Men’s Soccer semifinal against Brazil on Aug. 19, 2008 at Beijing Workers’ Stadium in China.
Natacha Pisarenko/AP
Lionel Messi speaks with the media upon his arrival at the Buenos Aires International Airport on May 30, 2009.
Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated
Argentina’s Lionel Messi plays the ball during the FIFA World Cup Group B match against South Korea on June 17, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Argentina head coach Diego Maradona talks with Lionel Messi as they celebrate their victory over South Korea in the FIFA World Cup Group B match on June 17, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated
Argentina’s Lionel Messi plays the ball during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Mexico on June 27, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Marcos Delgado/Clasos.com/LatinContent/Getty Images
Lionel Messi sits on the beach with girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo on July 20, 2010 in Cancun, Mexico.
Delphinus Riviera Maya/AP
Lionel Messi and girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo swim with dolphins at the Delphinus aquarium on July 24, 2010 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Arturo Rodriguez/AP
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from vies for the ball with Getafe’s goalkeeper Jordi Codina during their La Liga match on Nov. 7, 2010 at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Getafe, near Madrid, Spain.
Manu Fernandez/AP
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring against Real Madrid during their semifinal, 1st leg Champions League soccer match on April 27, 2011 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.
Emilio Morenatti/AP
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi reacts after scoring against Osasuna during their La Liga match on Sept. 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi duels for the ball with Real Madrid’s Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao during their La Liga match on April 21, 2012 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.
Eduardo Di Baia/AP
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with Gonzalo Higuain after scoring against Ecuador during their World Cup qualifying match on June 2, 2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Carlos M. Saavedra for Sports Illustrated
Argentina’s Lionel Messi makes a header during an International Friendly against Brazil on June 9, 2012 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid during their La Liga match on Oct. 7, 2012 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.
