Lionel Messi is fully embracing American culture as he adjusts to life in Miami, having been spotted grocery shopping at Publix just two days after arriving in South Florida. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was seen pushing a cart filled with various cereals, including Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops, while fans eagerly awaited official confirmation of his signing with Inter Miami.
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Messi landed in Miami on Tuesday with his wife, Antonela, and their three sons: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. The Argentine superstar, who is set to earn $54 million per year, took time to pose for photos with fans as he exited the grocery store.
Earlier in the week, he was seen enjoying a family meal in Miami Beach on his first day in the U.S., where he even received a kiss from a fan as he left the restaurant. Though Messi was expected to sign his contract and be announced as a Miami player on Thursday, the announcement may now come on Friday.
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Inter Miami’s co-owner David Beckham was also spotted at the team’s training ground, hoping to finalize Messi’s move to help turn around the club’s fortunes. Currently, Inter Miami sits at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference, trailing the Chicago Fire by 11 points for the last playoff spot.
Messi had expressed his desire to move to the U.S. after turning down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and realizing a return to Barcelona was not possible. His time at PSG, where he played for the last two seasons, did not see him fully integrate into the team, particularly after criticism from fans following their exit from the Champions League.