LIONEL MESSI immerses himself in American life by taking his family to the supermarket and not hesitating to take selfies with fans in Miami
LIONEL MESSI is throwing himself into life in America by taking his family to a supermarket on his second day in Miami.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has inked a £47million-a-year deal with David-Beckham’s MLS franchise Inter Miami and is set to be officially unveiled in the coming days.
Lionel Messi and wife Antonella are seemingly settling into life in MiamiCredit: Backgrid/MEGA
The pair went shopping at a local supermarketCredit: Backgrid/MEGA
The Messi family were all smiles as they scanned the aisles for essentialsCredit: Backgrid/MEGA
Messi and his family have already upped sticks from Paris to Miami – and is seemingly already making the most of his relative anonymity across the pond.
The Barcelona icon, 36, was spotted at a Publix supermarket doing a spot of food shopping with his wife Antonella and sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
The Messi family were all smiles as they strolled relatively unhassled through the aisles, only stopping for selfies with the few stunned fans who recognised him.
And the superstar’s family already seem to have a taste for sugary American snacks.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted two jumbo-size boxes of Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops in his trolley.
One said: “Today I learned Messi does his own grocery shopping.”
Another added: “Imagine swinging by the grocery store to pick up some roasted chicken for the fam and Messi is there picking up a cartload of sugary cereal for his kids.”
The Argentine took several selfies with fans as his family continued shoppingCredit: Backgrid/MEGA
Messi was quickly recognised by stunned footie fansCredit: Backgrid/MEGA
While another joked: “Lionel Messi is the cereal king.”
The Argentine’s move to Miami will likely be the final transfer of his iconic career.
And the World Cup winner recently admitted the international portion of his career will soon come to an end.
He said: “Honestly, I don’t know until when. I think it will happen when it has to happen.
“After having achieved everything recently, the only thing left to do is to enjoy. God will say when that moment will come.
“Logically, because of my age, I’m sure it will be soon.
“But I don’t know exactly when will be the right time.
“I think about the day-to-day, enjoying everything beautiful.
“We had to go through very hard times in the national team.
Lionel Messi guided Argentina to World Cup glory last DecemberCredit: REUTERS
“We were fortunate enough to be World Cup and Copa America champions. It’s time to enjoy.”
Messi has inked a two-and-a-half year contract with Inter which will see him pocket a whopping £47million a year.
He’s expected to make his debut in Inter’s Leagues Cup clash with Liga MX’s Cruz Azul on July 21.
And managing owner Jorge Mas believes Messi’s arrival in the MLS will change the landscape of the Beautiful Game in America forever.
He told The Miami Herald: “I think there will always be a before and after Messi when we talk about the sport in the United States.
“I have a very, very strong-held belief that we can create in North America and the United States.
“If not the greatest league, one of the top two leagues in the world.
“I cannot overemphasize the magnitude of this announcement.”