Antonela Roccuzzo’s quiet day before the World Cup final took place on July 17, two days before Argentina faced Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match has since concluded: Spain won 1-0 after extra time, denying Lionel Messi a second World Cup title and claiming the country’s second championship.
Roccuzzo, who lives with her family in the Miami area, spent the pre-final day relaxing at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Broward County. The resort is known for its guitar-shaped tower and sits close to the family’s South Florida base. Her routine offered a personal counterpoint to the buildup around one of football’s biggest events.
Roccuzzo shared glimpses of the day with her social media followers, including the hotel’s architecture and time by the pool. The posts described her wearing a blue two-piece swimsuit, with sunglasses and jewelry. A watch and a tattoo reading “Leo” were also visible, the tattoo on her right side. Her lunch was described as a double chicken burger with cheese, topped with tomato and arugula.
The evening brought a slower routine: tea and skincare, with a Salt and Stone candle and a book. Reading has been a recurring part of the lifestyle she shares with followers, alongside glimpses of family life and travel.
Earlier in the tournament, Roccuzzo traveled with her children to Atlanta for Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal win over England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Thiago was there with her, as were Mateo and Ciro. The victory sent Argentina into the final, where Messi was playing his third World Cup final overall and second in four years. He scored eight goals during the tournament. After Argentina’s semifinal, Roccuzzo returned to Miami and shared a TikTok video of herself dancing and singing to “La Cumbia de los Trapos” by Yerba Brava.
The final was scheduled for July 19 at 3 p.m. EDT at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a venue sometimes given the tournament branding “New York-New Jersey Stadium,” though it is not in New York City. Attendance was reported at 80,663. Ferran Torres scored Spain’s decisive goal 37 seconds into the second extra-time period, information from The Post-Journal’s match report.
The result ended Argentina’s bid to become the first country to retain the men’s World Cup in more than half a century. Messi later reflected on the difficulty of winning, saying, “In football, winning is very difficult, and you have to appreciate the journey, because only one team can win.” He also recalled Argentina’s earlier final defeat to Germany in 2014, saying, “It happened to us in the final against Spain.”
Spanish supporters had also gathered in New York in the lead-up to the match, with fans near Madison Square Garden adding to the tournament atmosphere, as detailed in a recent report on how Spanish supporters gathered ahead of the final. The match brought teams and supporters together at the New Jersey venue, while Roccuzzo’s posts offered a glimpse of the quieter moments surrounding the tournament.
The Messi-Roccuzzo family’s South Florida base reflects the region’s appeal to international athletes, with its warm climate and proximity to major U.S. sporting events. Their presence at major matches has long drawn public interest, but day-to-day details such as family time and reading, alongside rest, also show the personal routines that accompany a high-profile football career.
