Barcelona star Lionel Messi is all set to marry his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo on Friday at his hometown Rosario, Argentina.
This is the most awaited wedding of the football world as the couple is regarded as one of the hottest couples in town.
Around 21 members of Barcelona team including best friend Luis Suarez, Neymar and Gerard Pique with partner Shakira will be flying for the wedding.
Along with this former teammate and buddy, Cesc Fabregas will join the invitees with his stunning wife Daniella Semaan. Semaan shares a close bond with Roccuzzo and Suarez’s Wife Sofia Balbi.
As per media reports, Football Superstar Leo will have a lavish wedding at the city’s poorest and most dangerous neighbourhood.
The guests will be staying at luxurious City Centre Casino – hotel complex where the ceremony is expected to take place.
The hotel shares a border with a poor neighbourhood which is known as the birthplace of the drug gang Los Monos.
The provincial official Carlos Del Frade said: “Messi’s marriage at a big casino which has a neighbourhood like this is a metaphor for inequality”.
Rosario is a gritty port city which is linked with crime and violence. In last five years, the drug-gang has claimed more than 1,000 lives.
In the past, this city had a strong working class and today that violence has grown from widespread unemployment.
Messi’s father, Jorge Messi was a metalworker in 1990’s and immigrated to Barcelona with his family in 2000 during the economic crisis.
Regardless of the high crime rate, the government says it feels confident and the safety of the visitors and the guests in the city is always assured.
City Administrator told media, “Rosario is prepared for the wedding, Leo chose this city as it is his hometown and he feels more comfortable here and we will do everything in our power to make it so.”
The security for the wedding is already planned and is secure with officials.
It is being said that, last week local officials met Messi’s family and no information is out including the location of the ceremony which has changed in the last moment to keep paparazzi away.
The officials have called it as “a private event.” Gustavo Leone, Rosario official has said: “If any guests want to visit and take a tour of the city, a private tour will be arranged, but only under conditions of strict security and confidentiality.”
The residents of the city are surprised why Messi is interested in marrying his girl in this unsafe city.
Micaela Llane, a 24-year-old secretary said: “The truth is, I’m surprised they’re doing it here, considering that Messi is one of the best-paid players in the world. I just can’t believe it.”
The residents are all excited for the wedding as they are ready to present the best parts of the city to the world- where the football legend and five-time Ballo d’Or awarded was born.