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Lionel Messi Spotted Casually Grocery Shopping at Publix Thursday
Lionel Messi is among the most famous people in the world, which has to make it incredibly difficult to do normal, everyday things out in public when he’s in Europe or his native Argentina. Soccer fans in the United States are thrilled to have Messi set to play for Inter Miami in the MLS, but his star power isn’t quite the same stateside, which was apparent on Thursday when he and his family were able to go grocery shopping at a local Publix.
Messi was spotted by a number of fans, and stopped to take photos with a few, but it certainly looked like he was happy to be out in the real world. He was definitely thrilled with the bountiful, sugary cereal options that America provides, if his cart is any indication.
The 36-year-old legend may have an extra pep in his step when he jogs out on the Miami pitch for the first time.
We all want to be this guy who went to buy milk, bread, and egg tonight in a supermarket in Miami and suddenly, bumped into Messi. What do you say to your wife when you go home? That you met Messi while buying milk..😂🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/mEy9k2ATr0
— Messi Tribute (@MessiTribute) July 14, 2023
📸More pictures of Messi doing grocery at a Publix supermarket. So where will he be tomorrow night, a nearby Walmart? I would camp outside that store every week because he will run out of milk for sure.😭 pic.twitter.com/nMoEG2gOPX
— Messi Tribute (@MessiTribute) July 14, 2023
Make hundreds of millions of dollars playing against inferior competition while living in a nice city where you can go to the supermarket without being swarmed by thousands of fans asking for autographs and pictures?
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) July 14, 2023
Safe to say Lionel Messi made the right decision. pic.twitter.com/WbpSR79O14
Fans taking selfies with Lionel Messi at Publix in Miami. pic.twitter.com/KxXgvVAVOK
— Mundo Albiceleste ⭐🌟⭐🇦🇷 (@MundoAlbicelest) July 14, 2023
Lionel Messi and his family shopping at Publix in Miami. pic.twitter.com/N9CUF1zJBI
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 14, 2023
Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami debut on July 21 against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
Dan Lyons is a staff writer and editor at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI for his second stint in November 2024 after a season as senior college football writer at Athlon Sports and previous three-year run at SI as a writer and editor for the Breaking and Trending News team. When he’s not watching a game, you can find Dan at an indie concert venue or movie theater. Dan has a bachelor’s degree in writing and rhetoric from Syracuse.