Lionel Messi's Family History: A Journey from Brazil to Argentina
Exploring Messi's Ancestral Roots
A recent study has uncovered a fascinating ancestral link between Lionel Messi, the celebrated footballer who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and Brazil's Sao Paulo. This research traces a segment of his family's migration before they established themselves in Argentina.
A Tale of Two Migrations
According to a report from a Brazilian source cited by a sports news outlet, Italian genealogist Fiorenzo Santini has determined that one of Messi's forebears was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, prior to the family's relocation to Argentina. The study also noted that the family's surname underwent changes throughout their migration. Santini, who specializes in genealogy, became intrigued by the origin of the surname Messi during Messi's early career at Barcelona.
The research indicates that Messi's paternal great-grandfather, Angelo Messi, emigrated from Recanati, Italy, to Rosario, Argentina, in 1893, accompanied by his wife.
The Maternal Journey Through Brazil
On the maternal side, Messi's lineage traces back to his great-grandfather Ranieri Cocchietini, who was born in San Severino Marche, Italy. He immigrated to Brazil with his spouse, Rosa Ricchezza, aboard a ship named 'Washington', which docked in Santos in September 1899.
Historical records reveal that the family's journey to Brazil involved alterations to their names due to challenges in documenting foreign names at that time, with Ranieri being recorded as 'Ramiero Concchietini', a common occurrence among immigrants.
After settling in Sao Paulo, Ranieri worked on farms in the Rincao region before relocating to Ribeirao Preto, where two of his children, including Ardirigo, were born in 1904.
Approximately a year after Ardirigo's birth, the family departed Brazil for Argentina, establishing themselves near Rosario and embarking on a new chapter.
Messi's grandfather, Antonio Cocchietini, was subsequently born, followed by his mother, Celia Maria Cocchietini. Lionel Messi himself was born on June 24, 1987.
Solving the Genealogical Puzzle
Santini's research spanned from 2019 to 2022, during which he discovered the absence of the 'Cocchietini' surname in Italy. By examining documents and connecting with relatives of Messi's mother, he successfully traced the evolution of the family's name during their time in Brazil.
These revelations contributed to Messi being honored as an 'honorary citizen' of San Severino Marche in 2022, acknowledging his family's heritage.
The study found no evidence that Messi's relatives remained in Ribeirao Preto after their migration to Argentina in 1905. The only connection between Messi and the city is a street named 'Martinico Prado', named after the farm owner who welcomed Messi's ancestors during their stay in Sao Paulo before their final move to Argentina.