Do you like Fruit Loops? So does Lionel Messi! On Thursday night, the Argentine great was pictured at Publix, a regional supermarket chain adored by Floridians past and present. MLSist on the U.S. tradition of global stars living normally:
It should be noted that Publix is a corporate sponsor of Inter Miami, the MLS club for which Messi is expected to sign officially soon. But that’s done little to dampen the impression that this was a rare and endearing “everyman” moment from one of the greatest players of all time.
and became one of the first footballers to turn pitchman, shilling everything from breakfast sausages, to eggs, to boots. He dated models and rubbed shoulders with celebrities and oftentimes didn’t make any attempt at all to shield himself from public view.Things had changed drastically by the time he arrived at the North American Soccer League’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 1978.
Best’s celebrity could still show itself at times, though never intentionally, according to his U.S. teammates. Jimmy McAllister, who played with Best during his time at the San Jose Earthquakes remembered a car ride with Best in 1980. The two were listening to the radio when news of John Lennon’s murder crackled into the broadcast. “The boy with the Beatle haircut,” as he’d been called in London, grew somber.
Cruyff and his family escaped the harrowing attempt and spent the next four months protected by a police detail. His children were accompanied to school by armed guards, while Cruyff himself arrived at training sessions alongside a bodyguard. A year later, he was conspicuously absent from Holland’s side at the 1978 World Cup. For years, it was presumed that the famously hard-headed Dutchman had a falling out with the Dutch federation. In reality, Cruyff, said, it was his decision not to play.
“It was an incredible experience,” said Rongen. “Johan would rave about his time in the U.S. You can’t even imagine how big his profile was in the rest of the world and he could walk down the street and nobody would recognize him. In the time I spent , we would go out for dinner almost every night, because they never could do that in Barcelona, they just couldn’t. They had to have bodyguards.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Apple, Lionel Messi and the $2.5bn question: What's next?What is Apple's intention with their Lionel Messi deal to help bring him to MLS? Why invest in sport and why now? Is this a bet on MLS? Or is this a testing ground, with plans to venture into the NBA, NFL and more?
Read more »
Inter Miami terminate player's contract so Lionel Messi can joinInter Miami have terminated Rodolfo Pizarro’s contract so that they can make room for Lionel Messi in the squad. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has agreed to move to the MLS after hi…
Read more »
'It's not Messi' - Ex-Liverpool man can't believe Henderson's reported Saudi salary offerFormer Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant has been left shocked at the reported salary Jordan Henderson could earn in Saudi Arabia. The Liverpool midfielder has been reportedly offered a whopping £7…
Read more »
Bring back the great British junk shop\n\t\t\tLet our global subject matter experts broaden your perspective with timely insights and opinions you\n\t\t\tcan’t find anywhere else.\n\t\t
Read more »
Fun fair arrives 'where families have a great time'There are a number of fairground classics - including the teacups
Read more »
Act fast! These are the 29 Prime Day deals I'd buy before midnightPrime Day ends soon - so don't miss these great deals
Read more »