Lionel Messi mania engulfs Miami ahead of Argentine soccer superstar’s arrival

 A hamburger and drink combination called Lionel Messi. A huge sketch of soccer star’s smiling face on a restaurant wall beside a viral meme from 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A beer with a pink label matching color of Inter Miami jersey he will wear.

Wherever you turn in Miami se days something reminds you of imminent arrival of Argentine soccer legend.

re is hiding euphoria generated by Messi in Miami as he begins new Major League Soccer phase of his career in one of most Lati cities in United States. But his arrival is also bringing a te of sadness as fans kw that at 36 he is nearing end of his career.

Messi anunced on June 7 that he will play for Inter Miami in a move that is expected to revitalize soccer in United States and South Florida with one of sporting world’s best-kwn figures. More than 100,000 Argentines live in Miami, which will host World Cup matches in 2026.

seven-time winner of Ballon d’Or, soccer world’s most prestigious individual award, is coming off two years with Paris Saint-Germain and is expected to make his Inter Miami debut against Mexican team Cruz Azul on July 21.

In a career spanning more than 17 years with his country’s national team, Messi has scored more than 100 goals, including two against France at 2022 World Cup, a match Argentina won on penalties.

“I love that he’s in Miami because my children will be able to experience him like I experienced (fellow Argentina soccer star Diego) Maradona,” said Maximilia Alvarez, one of owners of Fiorito restaurant, where a wall has a giant mural of Messi. “It also makes me sad, stalgic, because it looks like it is beginning of his retirement.”

“Coming to this league is t same as playing in European league,” said Argentine businessman.

Álvarez and his bror Cristian had original mural with Messi’s face painted in restaurant in 2018, when many people criticized soccer star for his role in Argentine national team’s poor performance. His idea was to hor him and resilience he brings, never giving up.

In 2021, y revated restaurant in Little Haiti in rast Miami with ar mural of Messi on same wall, this one by Chilean-American artist Claudio Picasso.

On walls of ar restaurant called Kao Bar & Grill, in Hallandale Beach area rth of Miami Beach, Messi’s meme ”¡Andá pa’ alla bobo!” “Go over re, fool!” is immortalized along with a giant drawing of soccer star.

Angry after Argentina’s heated victory over Nerlands in quarterfinals of 2022 World Cup, Messi said those words to a Dutch player who was passing by while he was being interviewed.

Messi, who is kwn for his calm and cautious way of speaking, repented comment, which immediately went viral.

“He regretted it, obviously ... but it was left as a joke,” said Augusto Falopapas, artist who drew meme on restaurant’s wall.

To south, in Wynwood district, an area near downtown Miami kwn for its warehouse-turned-art galleries, or artists have painted murals of Messi. One is two giant ims of player, one with a smiling face, or ar running as if in a game. And re are plans for more, including a 10-meter-high (32-foot-high) mural of Messi kissing World Cup in an open parking lot.

Messi’s arrival has also impacted breweries like Prison Pals Brewing Co., which sells a beer bearing Messi’s number 10. can is painted pink with black lettering, a replica of Inter Miami’s colors.

Argentine grill Knife offers a Messi mojito and Hard Rock Cafe is launching a new “Messi Chicken Sandwich” made from soccer star’s favorite “milanesas.” Messi t-shirts, pants, sweatshirts with hood and water bottles will also be for sale.

“When we found out that he decided to choose Miami as his South Florida home, it was incredible for us,” said Elena Alvarez, vice president of global sales for Hard Rock International. “We are very, very grateful and we have him as a brand ambassador and we are launching ( new sandwich) at same time that he is moving here.”

Near Miami Beach, at Café Ragazzi of Argentine-Venezuelan singer-songwriter Ricardo Montaner, y are waiting for his return.

Messi was re on vacation after he won America’s Cup with Argentina in 2021. star caused an uproar in restaurant as fans came to greet him, forcing staff, including waiters and kitchen workers, to form a wall around him to protect him and allow him to exit to his car.

w y want to offer soccer legend more privacy and are thinking of putting up curtains.

“We are waiting for you in Miami with open arms,” said Emilia Valdés, café’s general manr. “He is revolutionizing entire city and has t yet arrived.”