Lionel Messi has opened up on life off the field in Miami – admitting he and wife Antonela Roccuzzo rarely make the most of the city’s famous nightlife.
Messi has spent close to a year in Florida after sealing a blockbuster transfer to Inter Miami last summer, with the soccer legend and childhood sweetheart Antonela moving into a luxurious $10.75million Fort Lauderdale mansion.
The couple have been spotted out and about from time to time, most recently when they were mobbed by fans on their way to a meal with Luis Suarez and his family.
Nevertheless, in an interview with Argentinian publication Infobae, Messi claimed that he and Antonela ‘don’t go out much’ in Miami and instead prefer to stay in at their lavish home.
‘No, the truth is that we don’t go out much either,’ he said when asked about his lifestyle in the city. ‘We live in the area where the club is located and we have a short drive to Miami.
Lionel Messi has opened up on his and wife Antonela Roccuzzo’s life off the field in Miami
‘We go out, we’ve gone out a couple of times, but I still don’t know it well.’
Messi is set to put club duties with Miami on hold this summer and join up with Argentina for the Copa America, where he and his international teammates will bid to retain their crown after winning the competition in 2021.
He will not have to travel too far, however, with this summer’s tournament being held in the US. Argentina’s last group game against Peru is also being held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
And should they make it as far, the all-important final will be staged at the very same venue.
‘The games played here in Miami are going to be different because the climate changes a lot, a lot of heat, a lot of humidity,’ the 36-year-old said.
‘But well, we in the group have only one in Miami, which is the third, and then if we continue passing and God willing we reach the final, you won’t come back until the final. Then, somewhere else, I don’t think it’s as hot as it is here in Miami.
Messi has spent close to a year in Florida after sealing a move to Inter Miami last summer
He and wife Antonela moved into this luxurious $11million mansion in Fourt Lauderdale
The soccer legend claims they prefer to stay in with their children than make the most of the city’s nightlife
‘In 2016 we played the Copa America here in the United States and the truth is that it was spectacular.
‘We had a good time, we had a great Copa America, beyond having lost the final of that time, but it was very nice.’
Argentina kick off their Copa America campaign against Canada in Atlanta on June 20, before heading to New Jersey to take on Chile five days later.
They then conclude the group stage by facing Peru in Miami on June 29.
