The Departure of Messi, Otamendi, and Di Maria
The Asian tour of the Argentine national team had a significant moment as three of their most experienced players decided to take a break. After their victory over Australia in Beijing, Lionel Scaloni made the decision to release Nicholas Otamendi, Lionel Messi, and Angel Di Maria. The trio returned to their home country, but not before enjoying some time in Barcelona, where they shared a pleasant moment together.
A Stopover in Spain
Following their match against Australia, Messi, Otamendi, and Di Maria made a technical stop in Spain before heading back to Argentina. During their time in Barcelona, they visited a beach bar called Chiringuito Chalito in Castelldefels, where Messi has a home. The trio enjoyed a lunch together, as seen in a photo shared by Otamendi on his social media.
The journalist Facundo Battaglino was present during this meeting and shared his experience on Instagram. He described how Messi greeted and interacted with the nearly 200 people who invaded their lunch. The Argentine superstar signed shirts, took photos, and even dedicated birthday greetings. It was a joyful moment for everyone present.
A Restaurant Owned by Luis Suarez
Interestingly, the beach bar where Messi, Otamendi, and Di Maria had their lunch is owned by Luis Suarez, a close friend and former teammate of Messi. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including milanesas, squid rings, pizza, hamburgers, roast beef, and empanadas. It is known for having the best Milanese in Barcelona and has plans to expand its presence in the city.
Future Plans
As Argentina prepares for their upcoming match against Indonesia, Otamendi, Di Maria, and Messi find themselves in similar situations in the sports world. Otamendi recently signed a contract renewal with Benfica, securing his future until 2025. Messi confirmed his departure from PSG and announced his move to Inter Miami in the United States. Di Maria’s future is still uncertain, but it is certain that he will not continue with Juventus.
There is great anticipation surrounding Messi’s upcoming appearances, including his presence at the farewell of Maximiliano Rodríguez and the official goodbye to Juan Roman Riquelme. After his vacation, Messi will travel to Miami to begin his journey with Inter Miami in the MLS. While there are no official dates for his formal presentation, it is expected that he will make his debut towards the end of July.
Inter Miami’s schedule includes several matches in July, and there is a possibility that Messi will feature in games against St. Louis City, Blue Cross, and Atlanta United. Fans eagerly await his arrival and the start of this new chapter in his career.
