Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo reveals ‘biggest surprise’ at Inter Miami after Argentine GOAT decided to chase American dream in MLS

The Argentine superstar made the bold career call to leave European football and head to MLS in the summer of 2023 – with free agency being reached after allowing his contract at Paris Saint-Germain to expire. Messi made an immediate impact on and off the field in the United States.

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He has added two more trophies to his record-breaking collection with Inter Miami – the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield – with MLS Cup glory now in his sights. Messi is thriving as he feels settled in Florida, with his family adjusting quickly to life in a new country and culture.

Antonela has told Haute Living of why the Messi clan immediately felt at home in the Sunshine State: "What I love the most about Miami is the climate, the people, and the landscape. All this makes you feel like you’re living in perpetual summer.

"The biggest surprise for us was the warm welcome we received when we arrived. We knew it would be special, but it exceeded all our expectations. It has actually been very easy [adapting to life in Miami], and we’re all happy about it. Our main concern was that the kids might not like it or adjust well, but from day one, they adapted very well."

Messi has previously expressed his affection for the city of Miami, saying shortly after his arrival: "I came here to play and to keep enjoying soccer, which is what I loved my whole life, and I choose this place because of all those things. I can tell you that I am very happy with the decision I made and for how my family and I live our day-to-day lives and how we enjoy the city and this new experience and how the people received us from the first day, from the people of Miami and the people of the US in general.

"We were convinced we wanted to come here, and the people made it very easy, the people in the club and the people I see day to day in the streets and the amazing city, it makes living here very easy and happy. The school too has helped us get comfortable and get settled in in our day-to-day lives, so it was a lot easier than I thought it would be because our experience of changing from Barcelona to Paris was very complicated and this has been completely different."

David Beckham will be delighted to hear that the Messi family are feeling happy. The Manchester United and England legend, who is now a co-owner of the Herons, worked hard to bring the Argentine GOAT on board and is hoping that he will agree to take up an extension option in his contract for 2026.