Lionel Messi’s Sister Injured in Serious Crash

Maria Sol, the younger sister of football legend Lionel Messi, suffered severe injuries in a serious car accident while driving a pick-up truck in Miami, United States. According to Argentine media outlet Clarín, the accident resulted in burns on parts of her body and damage to her spine, leaving her in a critical but stable condition.

The accident has forced the postponement of Maria’s wedding, originally scheduled for 3 January next year. Maria herself confirmed the incident to Clarín, while her mother, Celia, and Argentine journalist and TV presenter Ángel de Brito also corroborated the details to the media. Despite the severity of the crash, the 32-year-old is currently out of immediate danger but will require an extended period of rest to recover fully.

Celia Messi described the harrowing sequence of events: Maria lost consciousness after her vehicle struck a wall. In the collision, she sustained fractures to her ankles and wrists, alongside burns and spinal injuries.

Maria was due to marry her long-term partner, Julián “Tuli” Arellano, in Rosario on 3 January. Arellano, her partner of twelve years, currently serves as an assistant coach for Inter Miami’s under-19 team. The couple’s relationship began during their teenage years in La Bajada, a southern neighbourhood of Rosario, where Arellano also played football alongside Messi’s brothers at a local club. He attended the wedding of Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo in 2017.

Away from the media spotlight, Maria is a successful entrepreneur based in Rosario. She owns Bikinis Rio, a fashion brand specialising in women’s swimwear, and is actively involved in fashion design and production.

For clarity, the key details of Maria’s accident and personal background are summarised below:

While the Messi family and fans worldwide await her full recovery, the incident highlights the fragility of life even for those accustomed to the public eye.