(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi is one of the biggest and most recognizable stars in any field in the world. He has 478 million followers on Instagram. For some context, he has the second most followers of any Instagram account in the world (Cristiano Ronaldo has the most with 596 million followers). As of this week he is in Miami getting ready to close out his career with Inter Miami of the MLS. And he's jumping head first into the Florida lifestyle as Lionel Messi spotted grocery shopping at Publix.
Messi hasn't been able to go into a store anywhere in the world for the last 20 years almost. He get's accosted every time he is out in the public. This is a video of Messi trying to get back to his house in Argentina.
Big Deal
This has got to be a surreal moment for Messi. I can't really explain how big of a deal Lionel Messi is basically every part of the world. He's one of the most recognizable people in South America, Europe, Africa, Asia... hell, I bet he's the most recognizable person in Antarctica.
My Advice for Messi to Become a Floridian
Messi is a cultured individual. He has played his entire professional and armature career in Barcelona, Paris, and now Miami. But there is a special sort of culture we have established here in Florida. So here is my advice to become a Floridan. It starts with the chicken tender sub from Publix. I go with the tenders tossed in buffalo sauce with a white cheese (provolone or white American) with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. He did go full "American" by getting the family size breakfast cereals. It's tough to see what else is in the bag. But it looks like Lionel Messi is going all in on the Florida lifestyle, and the South Florida public largely doesn't know who it is. It's got to be nice for his to be able to go grocery shopping in relatively obscurity.
What Messi is used to
This video is from March in his home country of Argentina. As you can see the walls of the restaurant look like their about to be taken down by fans just trying to get a glimpse of the GOAT.
What it looked like when Messi landed
As you can see the fan fair was not what he is used to. As a soccer fan in the US I would have liked the soccer fans state side would put out a better showing than this. But again, it's got to be nice for Messi to live in relative obscurity.
Work to do
Messi has had a ton of success in his career winning league titles, Champions League titles, and a World Cup. Currently Inter Miami is dead last in the Eastern Conference. There is work to be done for Messi and crew if Inter is going to get into the playoff race.
