It’s been almost a year since Lionel Messi changed Major League Soccer forever after agreeing to join Inter Miami, but the soccer star has barely explored the area since arriving.
Messi, 36, has been spotted in the Miami area dining with franchise owner and former soccer player David Beckham, and when he first signed he took his family to a local Publix grocery store. Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo let fans into their private life via social media, but going out regularly is clearly not their thing.
With a lavish $10.75 million mansion in Fort Lauderdale, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner doesn’t have much need to leave the house. Messi is happy and settled in Miami, but admitted he doesn’t get out much to experience what the city has to offer.
“No, the truth is that we don’t go out much either,” Messi told Argentine newspaper Infobae when asked if he lives a luxurious lifestyle in Miami. “We live in the area where the club is and we have a short trip to Miami.”
“We hung out, we’ve hung out a couple of times, but I still don’t know him well.” Messi has been mobbed by fans during his public appearances and supporters have even tried to enter the pitch during MLS matches to greet him.
Messi will take a break from Miami this summer when he represents Argentina at the Copa America, but he won’t be away for long. Because the tournament is being held in the United States, some of the matches will be played at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Argentina’s final group game against Peru will be played there and if Messi reaches the final, he will return to his hometown. Messi could win another international trophy and do so in Miami, but he faces competition from Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and the United States.
Messi and his family spend most of their time at their home in Fort Lauderdale. (Image: (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
“The matches played here in Miami will be different because the weather changes a lot, it’s very hot, it’s very humid,” Messi added. “But well, we only have one in the group in Miami, which is the third, and then if we keep going through and God willing we get to the final, there’s no turning back until the final.”
“Then, in other places, I don’t think it’s as hot as it is here in Miami. In 2016 we played the Copa America here in the United States and the truth is that it was spectacular.
“We had a good time, we had a great Copa America, even though we lost the final at that time, but it was very nice.” Messi suffered brutal defeats for years with Argentina, lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and never managed to reach the final in the Copa America.
Messi has finally tasted success with Argentina and has “completed football” . Image: 2022 FIFA)
That has all changed since 2021, when Messi finally lifted the Copa America with his nation and then went on to win the World Cup in 2022. Messi has admitted that now that he has achieved international success, he could soon retire from the national team.
“I don’t really know when. I think it will happen when it has to happen,” Messi said in an interview with TV Pública. “After having achieved everything recently, the only thing left is to enjoy it. God will say when that moment will come.”
“Obviously, given my age, I am sure it will be soon. But I don’t know exactly when the right time will be. I think about the day to day, about enjoying everything nice. We had to go through some very hard times with the national team. We were lucky enough to be World Cup and Copa America champions. It’s time to enjoy it.”