Despite having a busy start to his career with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi was seen relaxing with a trip to a friend’s house in Fort Lauderdale. 

The 36-year-old was seen leaving the South Florida property with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, 35, and their kids Thiago, 10, Mateo, 7, and Ciro, 5.

Just two days prior, Messi had guided Inter Miami to a comeback victory against FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup round of 16. Messi appeared unhurried in a loose-fitting white t-shirt, black shorts, and flip-flops as he sipped his preferred yerba mate tea. 

Antonela, an influencer and model from Argentina, looked effortlessly chic in long, wide-leg black slacks and an orange crop top. 

Antonela, who married the soccer player in 2017, accessorized her ensemble with a vibrant pink and coral Louis Vuitton tote purse. She kept her brunette hair sleeked back in a high ponytail. 

Argentinian soccer coach and ex-player Lucas Saglia looked to be with Messi. 

Scaglia, Antonela’s cousin, reportedly introduced the couple when they were young since Messi was his childhood friend. 

Following Messi’s historic transfer to Inter Miami, the couple was last seen house searching in Boca Raton just over a week before to their family outing.

The couple were accompanied by their eldest son, Thiago, who wore an Inter Miami jersey carrying his father’s name.

Messi’s move to the United States was confirmed last month with a glitzy unveiling ahead of his debut and the World Cup winner has made a fast start to life at Inter Miami, scoring seven goals in four games. 

Messi was shown around the house, which appeared to include a golf putting green. Someone could even be seen – with club in hand – giving Messi a brief demonstration.

He and Antonela were beaming as they toured an opulent home in Boca Raton, which is only 25 minutes from DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale but almost an hour north of Miami.

The family would have more properties in south Florida. They already have a lavish $9 million apartment with views of Miami and Sunny Isles Beach.

The World Cup champion reportedly purchased the apartment at the Porsche Design Tower back in 2019.

Messi, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami, is anticipated to make $50–60 million per season, was seen Tuesday leaving his friends’ house while sipping mate tea. 

The traditional South American beverage, which is manufactured from the Yerba mate plant and rich in antioxidants, is a favorite of the soccer player. 

It has the same amount of caffeine as coffee and burns body fat. Additionally, it is thought to lessen fatigue and enhance muscle contractions, which is important for athletes like Messi who are frequently spotted consuming it.

In addition, David Beckham, a co-owner of Inter Miami, was undoubtedly motivated by the Argentine’s fondness of the beverage to give it a try as their friendship grew. 

If it’s good enough for Leo, the Manchester United icon commented beside a photo of himself drinking the beverage using a bombilla, the typical metal drinking straw.

I’m going to make you drink some nice mate, he added in his Instagram story caption after posting the Beckham photo.

Throughout his career, Messi has been spotted drinking it and frequently arrives at games with the gourd used to drink it.

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Funny thing was, Messi didn’t appear to like the brand Beckham was drinking.

He and Messi were seen out to dinner with their wives Antonela and Victoria Beckham a few days prior to Beckham’s mate tasting.

Miami’s well-known couples were sighted at Gekko with Beckham’s co-owner Jorge Mas and his wife Aleyda as well as Messi’s teammate Sergio Busquets and his girlfriend Elena Galera. 

The popular restaurant in South Florida, owned by Bad Bunny and chef David Grutman, combines aspects of a classic steakhouse with Japanese food, including sushi and sashimi. 

A-list celebrities like Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, Kaia Gerber, and Eva Longoria, a friend of the Beckham family, have dined at the Miami restaurant in the Brickell neighborhood. 

Kendall Jenner, the girlfriend of Bad Bunny, has also been sighted there, and after attending Messi’s debut, Kim Kardashian and NBA player Tristan Thompson were also observed there with one another. 

Beckham and Messi seem to get along well; the former England soccer player once cited getting Messi to Inter Miami as one of his greatest achievements. 

Beckham told The Athletic, “I never thought I would have the same feeling as an owner as I did when I was a player.”

“When I received the phone call (confirming Messi’s joining), I had the same sensation I had when I exited at Wembley or Old Trafford. We just outbid everyone else to sign the greatest athlete to ever play our sport, I thought.

This will rank among the most significant plays in American sporting history.

Beckham answered, “Without a doubt,” when asked if it was one of his best days.