Lionel Messi may have Brazilian ancestry, new genealogy study reveals

Italian genealogist Fiorenzo Santini concluded a three‑year investigation into Lionel Messi’s lineage, mapping his family tree across continents. The study indicates that Messi’s great‑great‑grandfather Raniero Coccettini emigrated from Italy to Brazil before the family later settled in Rosario, Argentina.

These findings suggest the eight‑time Ballon d’Or winner carries both Italian and Brazilian heritage. The revelation has sparked fresh debate among football historians and fans.