Lionel Messi is set to marry his childhood sweetheart

Lionel Messi is set to marry his long-term partner next summer according to reports from Argentina.

The Barcelona superstar has known Antonella Roccuzzo since he was just nine-years-old, but they became a couple when he was 21. Argentine sports journalist Juan Pablo Varsky broke the story on radio on Wednesday, and Argentine newspaper La Capital followed the story up today, claiming one of Messi's relatives had told them: "It’s true, there’ll be a wedding the middle of next year." [caption id="attachment_102831" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Messi and Antonella with their two children[/caption] But so far the 29-year-old, who is one year old than Antonella, has not confirmed the news. The pair have two children together: four-year-old Thiago and Mateo, who is one. Rosario cathedral is already being suggested as a possible location for the ceremony, since it is near the Messi family home in Arroyo Seco. Messi's birthday, June 12, has been touted as a possible date. The Barcelona forward this week missed out on a sixth Ballon d'Or. He has already won a record five titles, but this week his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo scooped his fourth award.