In a move that has taken the football world by storm, Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, has been spotted house hunting in Miami with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. This comes after Messi's surprising decision to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami earlier this summer, following the expiration of his two-year deal with French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi's decision to join Inter Miami was unexpected, especially given the lucrative offer he reportedly received from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. However, Messi chose to join the MLS side, seeking a more relaxed experience for himself and his family. The move to Florida also brings Messi and his family closer to their relatives in Argentina.
Messi's time in Paris was marked by a difficult period, with underwhelming performances for PSG, injuries, and even a suspension for travelling without the club's consent. The last few months of his stint with PSG saw fans turning against him, their jeers and protests becoming impossible to ignore.
Now, Messi is settling into his new life in the United States. He has even started taking English lessons to communicate more effectively with his new teammates. Messi is known to already own at least four luxury apartments in Miami, but it seems that he is looking for a larger family home.
Various media outlets have captured the Argentine viewing high-end properties with a real estate agent. One of the houses that the Messi family looked at reportedly had a putting green on its roof deck and is located in the prestigious Boca Raton region, only 25 minutes from DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, where Inter Miami plays and trains.
Messi's start with Inter Miami has been nothing short of spectacular, scoring five goals in his opening three games. On his debut against Cruz Azul on July 21, Messi scored an incredible stoppage time free-kick goal which won the match. He has since scored two goals in the club's 4-0 thrashing of Atlanta United, and another brace against Orlando City.
Messi's move to the MLS, instead of joining another European team, was driven by his desire to enjoy life a bit more. With the Barcelona veterans Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in the squad, Inter Miami have turned their fortunes around and are now favourites to win the Leagues Cup. However, they still have a lot of work to do in the MLS, where they currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.
Club co-owner David Beckham has expressed his excitement over Messi's signing, comparing the winning feeling of landing the Argentine to the same sensations he had as a player when winning games at Wembley. As Messi and his family settle into their new life in Miami, the football world watches with anticipation to see what the Argentine superstar will bring to the MLS.
