Inter Miami player Lionel Messi spotted shopping in Publix

The World Cup winner moved from Europe to the US, where he is already enjoying the benefits of a quieter life.

Joe Brennanj4brennanUpdate: Jul 14th, 2023 04:27 EDT

EpsilonGetty Images

OK, I admit that ‘man goes shopping in supermarket’ is not entirely newsworthy. But when you’re Lionel Messi, things are different. The soon-to-be Inter Miami player was seen shopping in Publix, where he was out picking up some Fruit Loops and Little Bites muffins, as you do.

The only reason this is newsworthy is it highlights the incredible change to the life of the superstar: in Europe a bodyguard-filled weekly shopping trip to the supermarket would not cross the mind of the most famous footballer in the world, let alone going on your own. Messi chose MLS over Saudi Arabia, and moments like this let us know why.

A few people stopped the player to ask for photos, but nothing like what we saw when the ex-Barça player went for dinner in Argentina…

The scenes in Argentina outside a restaurant where Messi was having dinner at 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/Hlb2q0I59Q

— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 21, 2023

Messi enjoying the quieter life

The scenes in Argentina cause anxiety for those simply watching the video, so imagine being on the other side of the window. Now, in the US, he can (at least for now) lead something of a more relaxed life, away from the insane levels of fame that he has elsewhere. There is no hood covering his head, no sunglasses and baseball cap, no fake glasses with plastic facial hair: just Messi, a black t-shirt and some polite, smiling fans.