The Messi family is preparing to kick off 2026 with a very special celebration. María Sol Messi, Lionel Messi’s younger sister, announced that she will marry Julián “Tuli” Arellano, a member of the Inter Miami U-19 coaching staff, on January 3, 2026, in Rosario, Argentina.
The event will mark one of the most important family moments for the Argentine star before returning to the United States to tackle the new season with Inter Miami, the club with which he recently won the 2025 MLS Cup.
An intimate wedding for the Messi family, away from the spotlight
Unlike the enormous media exposure that usually surrounds Lionel Messi, his sister’s wedding will be intimate, private, and low-key, according to people close to the family. The ceremony will only be attended by family and close friends.
Among the confirmed attendees, the captain of the Argentine national team and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, are expected to be present, taking advantage of their stay in Rosario over the year-end holidays to join this important family occasion.
The decision to keep a low profile reflects the lifestyle María Sol has chosen, far from the spotlight that accompanies her brother, considered one of the best soccer players of all time.
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Who is Julián “Tuli” Arellano, Lionel Messi’s future brother-in-law?
Julián Arellano, known as “Tuli,” is part of Inter Miami’s sports project, where he serves as a coach on the U-19 coaching staff. His work is focused on the training and development of young talent, one of the U.S. club’s strategic areas.
Arellano and María Sol Messi have known each other since childhood, as they both grew up in the traditional La Bajada neighborhood of Rosario, an iconic area deeply linked to the Messi family’s football history.
The relationship between the two has remained stable for several years, solidifying away from media scandal and with a life focused on professional and family matters.
María Sol Messi: a discreet profile and a career of her own
Although she belongs to one of the world’s most famous soccer families, 32-year-old María Sol Messi has forged her own professional path. She is a clothing designer and entrepreneur, and runs her own fashion brand from Rosario, combining creativity, business, and an independent lifestyle.
Unlike other figures linked to sports stars, María Sol has chosen to stay out of the public eye, prioritizing her personal and professional development without relying on her family name’s fame.
A family event before Messi’s return to Inter Miami
The wedding will be one of Lionel Messi’s last major family events before returning to the United States, where he will have to rejoin Inter Miami’s training regimen to prepare for the upcoming 2026 MLS season.
The world champion with Argentina will take advantage of the year-end break to spend time with his family in Rosario, a key city in his personal and sporting history, before resuming his professional career in American soccer.
