Lionel Messi has been in Miami for almost a year following his surprise move to Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, but the former Barcelona star is yet to explore the city

It’s been nearly a year since Lionel Messi shook up Major League Soccer by agreeing to join Inter Miami, but the football icon has barely ventured out in his new city.

Messi, 36, has been spotted dining with franchise owner and ex-footballer David Beckham in Miami, and upon signing, he took his family to a local Publix supermarket. Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo have given fans a glimpse into their private life via social media, but it seems they’re not big on going out regularly.

With a plush £8.5 million million Fort Lauderdale mansion, there’s little need for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to leave home. Messi is content and settled in Miami, but confessed that he doesn’t really get out much to experience what the city has to offer.

“No, the truth is that we don’t go out much either,” Messi revealed to Argentinian publication Infobae when asked about his lifestyle in Miami. “We live in the area where the club is located and we have a short drive to Miami.”

“We go out, we’ve gone out a couple of times, but I still don’t know it well.” Messi has been mobbed by fans during his public appearances and supporters have even attempted to storm the pitch during MLS games to meet him.

Messi will take a break from Miami this summer when he represents Argentina in Copa America, although he won’t be away for long. With the tournament being held in the United States, some of the games are taking place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Argentina’s final group match against Peru will be held there, and if Messi makes it to the final, he’ll return to his current home city. Messi has a chance to bag another international trophy in Miami, but he’ll have to outdo Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, and the USA.

Messi and his family spend most of their time at home in Fort Lauderdale ( 
Image:
FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Messi commented on the unique conditions in Miami, saying: “The games played here in Miami are going to be different because the climate changes a lot, a lot of heat, a lot of humidity. But well, we in the group have only one in Miami, which is the third, and then if we continue passing and God willing we reach the final, you won’t come back until the final.”

He added: “Then, somewhere else, 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, beyond having lost the final of that time, but it was very nice.”

Messi has faced tough losses with Argentina for years, including losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and consistently missing out on the Copa America. However, things turned around in 2021 when Messi finally won the Copa America with his country, followed by a World Cup victory in 2022.

Messi has finally experienced success with Argentina and ‘completed football’ ( 
Image:
2022 FIFA)
Messi has confessed that now he’s tasted international success, he might soon retire from the national team. The football legend Messi, speaking to TV Publica said: “Honestly, I don’t know until when. I think it will happen when it has to happen,” and “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. We were fortunate enough to be World Cup and Copa America champions. It’s time to enjoy.”