Footballers who married their childhood sweethearts

Last Updated on 18 February 2026

In a sport defined by transfers, fame and relentless change, some love stories stubbornly refuse to move. Long before the massive contracts, trophies and global spotlight, there were school corridors, neighborhood streets and teenage promises.

From Rosario to London, these relationships began before the world knew their names, and survived everything that followed.

Here are five footballers who stayed true to their sweethearts where it all started.

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo

Messi was just nine when he met Antonela in Rosario, the cousin of his closest childhood friend. Even after Barcelona took him across the Atlantic at 13, the bond quietly held.

Years later, they found their way back to each other and built a family that has felt almost timeless amid the chaos of superstardom. Their 2017 wedding back home in Argentina only reinforced the sense of a story that had never really left its beginning.

Luis Suarez & Sofia Balbi

At 15, Suarez watched Sofia’s family leave Uruguay for Spain, a separation he has often described as the moment everything sharpened.

Football became more than a dream, it became a route back to her. Years of grind followed until Europe, reunion and eventually marriage in 2009. Few careers have been powered by something quite so personal.

Harry Kane & Katie Goodland

Kane and Katie go back to primary school corridors in East London, long before England captaincy or Golden Boots.

A childhood photo of them with David Beckham now feels almost prophetic. The future national striker beside the partner who would remain constant through loans, setbacks and eventual stardom. Kane still points to her as the anchor through it all.

Bruno Fernandes & Ana Pinho

They met as teenagers in the same Boavista classroom, a slow-burn school romance that stuck. Before contracts or recognition, Ana took the leap with Bruno, moving to Italy at 17 while he chased an uncertain lower-league career.

Long before Old Trafford and captaincy, the commitment had already been tested and proven.

Raheem Sterling & Paige Milian

Sterling and Paige were teenagers in London when his career first began to accelerate.

Through Liverpool emergence, City dominance and relentless scrutiny, she has remained the constant presence behind the scenes, partner, organiser and shield from the noise. Their relationship has grown alongside his career, rather than in its wake.