Lionel Messi set the internet ablaze Thursday night when he was spotted shopping at popular Florida supermarket chain Publix – with the outing fueling one burning question for fans.
Messi was joined by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children as they roamed of the aisles of the food store, stocking up on items like Frosted Mini-Wheats, Lucky Charms, Froot Loops for their new Miami home.
But fans found themselves wondering whether Messi purchased one of the chain’s famous ‘Pub Sub’ sandwiches, and even wondered what his order would be if so.
The supermarket is known for their chicken tender subs.
‘Messi about to discover the magical qualities of the @Publix chicken tender sub,’ CBS Sports’ Matteo Bonetti said.
Lionel Messi poses with fans for a selfie while being stopped in supermarket chain Publix
Messi and his wife Antonela were joined by their three sons as they shopped for groceries
Others joked that the sandwich was the reason for his arrival in the USA.
But while Messi’s Publix visit set off plenty of jokes and quips, it also was a financial windfall for the company.
According to calculations from Apex Marketing shared by Morning Consult’s Mark J. Burns, the visit gave the supermarket $3.3million in brand exposure.
The same was true for hard seltzer company High Noon, after Messi posed in front of the product for a fan selfie.
Messi, who is set to earn $54million per year, landed in Miami on Tuesday with his wife, Antonela, and their three sons, Thiago, 10, Mateo, 7, and Ciro, 5.
Fans wondered whether or not Messi got a ‘Pub Sub’ at Publix while getting groceries there
Messi, 36, was spotted at checkout by a different fan, who offered a peek into his purchases
Messi and a fan posing for a selfie in front of packs of US hard seltzer brand High Noon
And he’s set to be unveiled to Inter Miami fans Sunday at DRV PNK Stadium alongside former Barca teammate Sergio Busquets, who he’s reunited with in South Beach.
As of Friday morning, his transfer to Miami has not yet been officially announced, though it’s seen as imminent.
Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, announced his intentions to move to MLS last month.
He was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia or a possible return to Barcelona, which ultimately proved unfeasible.
The forward has found himself in the limelight since arriving in Miami this week, as he was also kissed by an overeager fan after leaving a meal with his family.
Messi sported a casual look to the supermarket outing, wearing a black tee and sandals
He watched on as his wife grabbed an item from a shelf on Thursday night
Messi was kissed on the cheek as he left a Miami restaurant with his family Wednesday
Messi attempted to leave Italian restaurant Cafe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach through the back door with his family, wife Antonela and their three sons while his dad Jorge also appeared to be with them.
One fan in an Argentina jersey stopped the soccer icon for a selfie in the street and, as he held the camera up for a snap, he snatched his chance to bizarrely kiss Messi on the cheek.
‘Leo, I love you man. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for so much,’ the supporter said to Messi in Spanish.
Messi seemed largely unfazed by the moment and moved away to catch up with his wife Antonela and their children.
The Argentine’s debut is slated for July 21 vs. Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
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