Maria Sol Messi was three days away from marrying her childhood sweetheart when a car crash changed everything. The wedding she had planned in her hometown of Rosario, Argentina, never happened on schedule. Instead, Lionel Messi's younger sister spent the start of 2026 in physical therapy, recovering from injuries that would have put most people in a hospital bed for weeks, not days.
Growing Up in the Messi Household
Maria Sol Messi is the youngest of four children born to Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini in Rosario, Argentina. She grew up alongside her three brothers, Rodrigo, Matias, and Lionel, in a two-story home near the Parana River, in a working-class neighborhood that shaped the entire family's relationship to fame long before any of them imagined it.
When Lionel left for Spain as a teenager to join FC Barcelona's youth academy in 2001, the whole family relocated with him, including Maria Sol, who was still a young child at the time. Unlike her brothers, she eventually chose to return to Argentina rather than build her career in Europe, a decision that has defined much of how she has approached fame ever since.
While Rodrigo and Matias took on roles managing Lionel's schedule and charitable work, Maria Sol carved out a different path entirely. She studied fashion design, a field she has said she loved since childhood, and built a career around clothing and branding rather than football logistics.
From The Messi Store to Her Own Swimwear Label
Maria Sol's first major professional role came through her brother's fashion venture, The Messi Store. She worked as brand manager alongside Virginia Hilfiger, sister of designer Tommy Hilfiger, helping translate Lionel's personal style into a clothing line. She has described her role as staying true to Lionel's image while keeping the designs accessible rather than exclusive. Hollywood Life
That experience eventually led her toward something entirely her own. Maria Sol founded Bikinis Rio, an independent swimwear brand based in Rosario that built a strong following on social media. One of her most visible clients has been her own sister-in-law, Antonela Roccuzzo, who has worn and shared Bikinis Rio designs with her millions of followers on multiple occasions. Entertainment Tonight
She has continued releasing seasonal capsule collections under her own name, including a 2026 line called "Brilla y Ama," while maintaining what people close to her describe as a deliberately low profile compared to her famous brother.
A Lifelong Love Story Rooted in Rosario
Maria Sol's relationship with Julian "Tuli" Arellano did not begin in the spotlight. The two grew up together in La Bajada, a neighborhood in southern Rosario, sharing the same childhood friendships and family gatherings long before either of their lives intersected with international fame.
Arellano works as part of the youth coaching staff at Inter Miami, currently serving as an assistant coach for the club's under-19 team, the same organization where Lionel Messi has played since 2023. His connection to the Messi family predates that overlap by years and is rooted in personal trust built over a long friendship rather than professional convenience. One of the clearest signs of that bond came on June 30, 2017, when Lionel personally invited Arellano to his own wedding in Rosario. Yahoo!Yahoo!
The couple have been engaged since January 2024. They planned a deliberately intimate ceremony in Rosario, choosing the city not for convenience but because it represented their shared roots and childhood memories.
The Accident That Postponed Everything
The wedding was originally scheduled for January 3, 2026, but had to be postponed after Maria Sol suffered serious injuries in a car accident in Miami in December 2025. She lost control of her vehicle in a collision that left her with fractures to her vertebra, heel, and wrist, along with burns. HELLO!
Following the crash, Maria Sol was transferred to Rosario to begin rehabilitation closer to family. The postponement generated an outpouring of support from fans and friends across social media, many of whom had been following the couple's wedding plans closely given the family's profile.
Despite the setback, those close to the couple say their focus has remained on recovery rather than rescheduling pressure, with the wedding now expected to take place once Maria Sol completes her physical therapy.
Life Away From the Cameras
What separates Maria Sol from many relatives of global superstars is how consistently she has avoided turning her connection to Lionel into a personal brand. She has built Bikinis Rio as a standalone business with its own identity, and her public appearances tend to center on family milestones rather than red carpets or media appearances.
She remains close to Lionel's children, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, and is frequently present at family gatherings tied to Newell's Old Boys, the football club the entire Messi family has supported for generations. In 2023, she got a tattoo commemorating Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, marking the date of the final alongside the World Cup trophy itself, a personal tribute to a moment that defined her brother's career and her family's history.
As the 2026 World Cup brings renewed global attention to the Messi family, Maria Sol's story offers a different angle on what it means to grow up inside one of the most recognized families in sports: not chasing the spotlight, but building something entirely her own just outside it.
Maria Sol Messi Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maria Sol Messi |
| Born | Rosario, Argentina |
| Age | 32 |
| Parents | Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini |
| Siblings | Lionel, Rodrigo, and Matias Messi |
| Profession | Fashion designer, entrepreneur |
| Business | Founder, Bikinis Rio |
| Former Role | Brand Manager, The Messi Store |
| Partner | Julian "Tuli" Arellano |
| Engaged Since | January 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maria Sol Messi?
Maria Sol Messi is the youngest sibling of football star Lionel Messi. She is a fashion designer and entrepreneur who founded the swimwear brand Bikinis Rio and previously worked as brand manager for Lionel's clothing line, The Messi Store.
Why was Maria Sol Messi's wedding postponed?
Her wedding to Julian Arellano, originally planned for January 3, 2026, was postponed after she suffered serious injuries including fractures and burns in a car accident in Miami in December 2025.
Who is Maria Sol Messi engaged to?
She is engaged to Julian "Tuli" Arellano, a childhood friend from Rosario who now works as a youth team coach for Inter Miami, the same club where Lionel Messi plays.
What is Bikinis Rio?
Bikinis Rio is an independent swimwear brand founded by Maria Sol Messi in Rosario, Argentina. The brand has built a strong social media following and counts Antonela Roccuzzo, Lionel Messi's wife, among its known supporters.
Does Maria Sol Messi work with her brother Lionel?
She previously worked as brand manager for The Messi Store, Lionel's fashion line, alongside designer Virginia Hilfiger. She has since focused primarily on her own swimwear business.