Lionel Messi surprised the footballing world by departing PSG, turning down a record offer from the Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal which would have seen him earn over a billion dollars in three years.
Instead, he joined David Beckham’s Inter Miami, a move driven by Messi and his family’s desire, as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner sought to conclude a nearly perfect career by stepping away from Europe. And it seems the Argentine is having the time of his life with family and friends in Miami.
Lionel Messi pictured with Sofia Vergara
While Messi’s impact on the American soccer scene has been gigantic, the star himself is enjoying life in Miami.
The World Champion was recently pictured hanging out with ‘Modern Family’ star Sofia Vergara, fellow teammates Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez, who recently signed for the American club, and wife Antonella Roccuzzo in a nightclub in Florida.
Sofia Vergara was in Miami at the same bar and took the opportunity to meet the soccer stars. The Colombian-American actress is well-known among fans for her role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the ABC sitcom Modern Family.
Messi, who is known to keep away from the limelight and controversy, unlike his Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo, has taken time to unwind with friends in the wild night-life scene in Miami. Given the Argentine has nothing left to grind for on the field after achieving the most coveted World Cup in Qatar, he is enjoying the break in an upbeat fashion.
Lionel Messi only days away from rekindling Cristiano Ronaldo feud
On the footballing side of things, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to face each other again when Inter Miami clashes with Al Nassr on the first of February as part of the preseasons for both clubs.
These two football legends with glittering careers have faced each other a total of 36 times, with their first meeting occurring in 2008 during the Champions League. In these 36 encounters, Messi has emerged victorious in 16 matches, while Ronaldo has won 11, with the remaining being draws.
The matchup will also see former Barcelona legends Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, and new signing Luis Suarez playing together for the first time since their days in Catalonia. During that period, they won a total of 9 trophies in just 4 years.
They will be facing formidable opponents such as the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Premier League and Champions League winner Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte who was part of the treble-winning Manchester City team of 2022/23, and Serie A winner and World Cup and Champions League runner-up with Croatia and Inter, Marcelo Brozovic.
Although, the majority of these players are well beyond their prime, the simple fact that they are going to grace the pitch and face off against each other is enough for footballs to tune in.
Are you excited for the upcoming Inter Miami and Al Nassr matchup? Let us know in the comments below!
