Lionel Messi is fully immersing himself into American culture and adjusting to life in Miami by grocery shopping at US supermarket chain Publix on just his second day in South Florida.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was spotted pushing a cart at the grocery store’s checkout with different types of cereal including General Mills’ Lucky Charms and Kellogg’s’ Fruit Loops on Thursday, as fans are eager for Inter Miami to confirm his signing by this upcoming weekend, at the earliest.
Messi, who is set to earn $54million per year, landed in Miami on Tuesday with his wife, Antonela, and their three sons, Thiago, 10, Mateo, 7, and Ciro, 5.
The Argentine, whose height is listed at five-ft-seven, even had time to pose with some of his US fans based in the Sunshine State, as he was headed towards the grocery store’s exit.
Earlier this week, Messi was spotted at a family meal in Miami Beach on his first day in the US on Wednesday and was even kissed by a fan on his way out of the eatery!
Lionel Messi, his wife Antonela and his three children went shopping at Publix in Palm Beach
Messi, 36, was spotted at checkout at US supermarket chain Publix in Miami, Thursday
Messi looked like any other shopper walking down the aisles of the supermarket with family
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner even had time to pose for snaps with several admirers
Messi and a fan posing for a selfie in front of packs of US hard seltzer brand High Noon
Pictured last week, the Messi family have been in the Caribbean before they move to Miami
The 2022 World Cup winner was expected to sign his contract and be announced officially as a Miami player on Thursday – but the announcement now could come on Friday. Everything is going to plan, despite confirmation potentially coming later than anticipated.
Beckham, who said he didn’t have an update on the free transfer earlier this week, was spotted at Inter Miami’s training ground on Wednesday, as he hopes to wrap up Messi’s move as soon as possible in hopes of turning his clubs fortunes around.
Inter Miami are currently ranked in last place (15th) of the MLS’ Eastern Conference. The Herons are 11 points off the Chicago Fire, sitting in ninth place – the last final series play-offs spot.
Messi shared his intent to move to the US last month after turning down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and seeing a Barcelona return become unattainable.
He played for PSG for the last two seasons but never really made himself at home in France’s capital, where ultras accused him of not playing up to his usual standards after the team’s exit to Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 of the Champions League — a trophy that continues to elude the Ligue 1 champions, backed by the state-run sovereign-wealth fund of Qatar.
Messi is in Miami with his wife Antonela and their three children and is soon going to sign
Inter Miami fans are eagerly waiting for Messi to be announced. A Messi mural seen in Miami
Messi’s chose Miami over a return to Barcelona, an extension with PSG & going to Saudi Arabia
Inter Miami team co-owner David Beckham is set to announce Messi’s signing at the weekend
Messi is signing with Miami seven months after having won the World Cup with Argentina
All of that will no longer matter to Messi, who told Inter Miami officials that they are getting him at his very best and that his family’s ‘happy’ with the decision of moving to America.
Messi’s near-completed move is now expected to energize soccer in the US and Florida with one of the sporting world’s best-known figures. More than 100,000 Argentines live in Miami, which will host World Cup matches in 2026.
Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami debut against Mexican team Cruz Azul on July 21.
The player with over 800 career goals was spotted on vacation in the Caribbean with his family before travelling to Miami this week.
Inter Miami scheduled an unveiling with Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets on Sunday night at the team’s DRV PNK Stadium (pronounced ‘Drive Pink’) during halftime of the Gold Cup final, played between Mexico and Panama.
Jordi Alba, another ex-Barca teammate of Messi’s, is also expected to join Miami.
