Messi's Mother's Record
Celia Cuccittini, Lionel Messi's Mother, Sets New FIFA World Cup Scoring Record
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Lionel Messi's mother, Celia María Cuccittini, is the quiet force behind one of soccer's greatest careers. Born in 1960, she worked as a part-time house cleaner to help support her family and her son's path to stardom, according to News Observer.
Messi has never hidden his love for his mother. He has a tattoo of her face on his back — a permanent tribute to the woman who sacrificed so much for him, Sun Herald reported.
Celia's Hard Work Helped Shape a Soccer Legend
Celia María Cuccittini raised Lionel in Rosario, Argentina, alongside her husband Jorge Messi. Money was tight. She took on part-time cleaning work to help make ends meet. Her sacrifices helped give Messi the time and support he needed to train and develop as a young player, according to Macon.
Messi has spoken openly about how much his mother means to him. The tattoo of her face on his back is one of the most visible signs of that bond. It is rare for a global superstar to pay tribute so publicly to a parent, but Messi has always been clear: his family comes first.
Messi's World Cup Record Sets a New Standard
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi became the tournament's all-time leading scorer. He reached 21 goals across 31 appearances and six tournaments, surpassing German legend Miroslav Klose, according to The News Tribune.
Klose had held the record since 2014, when he scored his 16th World Cup goal for Germany. Messi blew past that mark in 2026, cementing his place not just as one of soccer's greats — but as the greatest World Cup scorer in history, Idaho Statesman reported.
A Mother's Face Tattooed on a Champion's Back
Messi's tattoo of Celia's face sits prominently on his upper back. He got the tattoo years ago as a way to carry his mother with him wherever he goes. It is one of several family-themed tattoos on his body, which also include tributes to his sons, Tri-City Herald noted.
For Celia, who once scrubbed floors to help her son get ahead, seeing him break World Cup records is a remarkable journey. She went from cleaning homes in Rosario to watching her son rewrite soccer history on the world's biggest stage.
From Rosario to Global Icon: The Family Behind Messi
Messi grew up in a working-class household in Rosario. His father Jorge worked in a steel factory. His mother cleaned houses. Both parents pushed their son to chase his dream even after a growth hormone disorder threatened his career as a child, according to Sun Herald.
FC Barcelona eventually agreed to fund Messi's medical treatment at age 13, and the family moved to Spain. That moment changed everything. But behind every step of that journey stood Celia — a part-time house cleaner who helped raise the greatest soccer player the world has ever seen.
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