Lionel Messi’s Ancestry Traced to Sao Paulo in Brazil Before Family Moved to Argentina: Study
A groundbreaking genealogical study by Italian historian Fiorenzo Santini reveals football icon Lionel Messi's maternal ancestors briefly resided in Sao Paulo, Brazil, before settling in Argentina. The research, concluded between 2019 and 2022, found Messi's maternal great-grandfather, Federico Cuccittini, was born in Ribeirão Preto in 1904 after his.
A comprehensive three-year genealogical investigation has uncovered a fascinating and unexpected twist in the lineage of Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi, revealing that his maternal family roots extend to Sao Paulo, Brazil, prior to their eventual migration to Argentina. The findings, led by Italian historian Fiorenzo Santini, have emerged this week, sparking considerable interest across the football world. Lionel Messi Sparks Joy in Rosario with First Local Appearance Since Argentina's FIFA WC 2026 Final Loss (Watch Video).
Messi, 39, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, was born in Rosario, Argentina, on June 24, 1987. His Argentine identity is synonymous with his unparalleled success, including leading the La Albiceleste to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title and the 2021 Copa América victory.
The Brazilian Connection
Italian researcher Fiorenzo Santini initiated his detailed study between 2019 and 2022, driven by a curiosity surrounding the unusual surname "Cocchietini" (which later became Cuccittini) within Messi's maternal family tree, a name he found virtually non-existent in Italy.
Santini's painstaking research, drawing on historical documents and family testimonies, traced Messi's maternal great-great-grandfather, Ranieri Cocchietini, and his wife, Rosa Ricchezza, leaving Italy's San Severino Marche region. They embarked on the ship "Washington" and arrived at the Port of Santos in Brazil in September 1899. Neymar Trolls Critics With 'Poker Celebration' After Scoring Opening Goal For Santos Against Chapecoense in Brazilian Serie A 2026 (Watch Video).
After their arrival, the family settled in the rural municipality of Rincão, Sao Paulo state, where Ranieri worked as a farmer. It was during this period in Brazil that changes to their surname occurred due to immigration registration processes, a common occurrence for foreign names at the time.
Crucially, Messi's maternal great-grandfather, Federico Cuccittini, was born in Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, on January 27, 1904. Approximately a year later, in September 1905, the family departed Brazil and relocated to Rosario, Argentina, where subsequent generations, including Messi's grandfather Antonio Cuccittini and his mother Celia María Cuccittini, were born.
Impact and Implications
The revelation of Messi's Brazilian ancestry, though historical, has inevitably sparked light-hearted discussions among football enthusiasts about the hypothetical possibility of him representing Brazil. However, FIFA's eligibility rules are based on nationality and legal ties, not solely on distant ancestral birthplaces, making such a scenario purely speculative. Brazil Eyeing Historic Kolkata Friendly in October; Opponent for Selecao Visit Still Undecided: Report.
Interestingly, Santini's extensive genealogical work also played a role in Lionel Messi being granted honorary citizenship of the Italian city of San Severino Marche in 2022, in recognition of his deep ancestral ties to the region.
This new insight into Messi's family journey underscores the complex migratory patterns that shaped South American populations and adds another layer of intrigue to the story of one of football's most iconic figures. While his allegiance to Argentina remains unwavering, the discovery provides a unique cross-border connection for the global superstar.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2026 02:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).