Leo’s time at Inter Miami: How Messi transforms people’s lives when he meets them(16 Feb)

Leo’s time at Inter Miami: How Messi transforms people’s lives when he meets them

Disco music and muted red lighting at Cafe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach instantly create a vibe. Even though Lionel Messi had been to Prima Pasta before—more than 10 years ago—his most noteworthy viral moment since arriving in the US happened on July 13, of last year.

Prima Pasta was previously well-liked by the locals in inter Miami, but an article from The Athletic claims that Messi now frequently eats there.

A resident barber also experienced good fortune after seeing Messi, aside from that. The myth goes that a world-traveling muralist found inspiration in Messi’s World Cup success to produce a highly regarded piece of art.

Customers attempted to maintain normalcy, so when Messi and his family ate at Prima Pasta in July, it received international attention.The Athletic was informed that evening by thirty-year-old bartender Angelo Acción that “Messi just strolled in through the front door.” “At first, none of the customers here knew he had come in. As soon as they spotted him, many of the customers waited for him outside.”

The 57-year-old proprietor of Prima Pasta, Cea, revealed that he has guitar autographs from well-known musicians such as Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz, and René Pérez, also referred to as Residente.

Cea also owns a guitar that was autographed by the late Argentine rock musician Gustavo Cerati, who frequented Prima Pasta before passing away in 2014. Cea reportedly got to know the Messi family and now has a Gibson guitar signed by Inter Miami’s No. 10.

According to Cea, “Leo is always very cool,” The Athletic said. “His family has been visiting for the past 12 years, but this was only his third visit.” He always has a smile on his face and exudes comfort. Never a problem. Put simply, a fantastic person.”

Cea claims that agnolotti Rosso, a dish of loaded pasta with ricotta cheese and spinach in a pink sauce, is Messi’s favorite dish.

The barber, self-taught

Social media user Luis Andrés Rivera, a Puerto Rican businessman located in inter Miami, goes by the moniker El Bori Barber. His life changed last summer when he began working as Messi’s personal barber.

Rivera’s Destiny Barber Studio, located in Wynwood, is a sleek, contemporary space with three black leather barber chairs and a well chosen selection of salsa music to enhance the ambiance. Citing the confidentiality agreement he signed with Messi’s organization, Rivera refuses to discuss his experiences.

Since he shared an Instagram photo of himself with Messi in August of last year, Rivera has received numerous requests from the media, but he has had to decline them all. With a sense of pride, he displays the messages he has sent and received on WhatsApp with Messi, but he quickly sets his phone down and says they can talk about anything else.

Rivera, 29, was born and reared in Patillas, a beach community in southeast Puerto Rico. The coastal town of Patillas is a part of San Juan.

“Bro, inter Miami is my life,” Rivera exclaims. “I came here with high intentions but low expectations. inter Miami serves as a reminder that there are many opportunities in life. There are no limitations in inter Miami. I had no idea who my well-known clientele was before I came here. I found them where I am. If you put in the effort and maintain discipline here, have faith in yourself. Miami is the center of everything.”

The world-traveling muralist

Maximiliano Bagnasco’s encounter with Messi in July 2023 will live on in memory, much like Rivera’s. The 42-year-old Bagnasco from Argentina is well-known for creating the most well-known Messi mural in Cape Coral.

David Beckham, who co-owns Inter Miami, was among the first well-known individuals to see the Messi mural in Bagnasco. The former Manchester United player made waves of his own when he stepped onto Bagnasco’s crane for a Messi moment that went viral.

Bagnasco has painted several murals of Messi and Maradona all over the world. Bagnasco and the building’s owner, 67-year-old Miami-based Argentine developer Gustavo Miculitzki, who is connected to Block Capital Group, collaborated to create the Wynwood painting.

“Gustavo came up with the idea,” Bragnasco said to The Athletic. “He wanted it to say ‘Welcome to Miami.'” “Wynwood” addition Gustavo said Messi should be grinning. Although I had offered a different design, we finally settled on this one.It involves watching Messi play for Inter Miami and giving each other embraces. Messi is the global champion right here. That is the Messi that everyone adores and that we currently have.”

Whether Messi is spotted enjoying a maté at his local coffee shop, attending his oldest son Thiago’s birthday party, or attending a friend’s U-12 academy team match, it’s becoming increasingly common to see him in Miami.

Miculitzki stated, “It’s been really amazing. We have almost 20 years of experience here.” We know what Leo wants from life and that he can motivate everybody, not just football fans. It has been proven. Messi’s fan base is worldwide. It’s incredible. You have to live anything in order to fully understand it.”