Lionel Messi's Journey: From Miami Glory to Yearning for Barcelona Return
Luxury watch influencer Ziv Tamir made a viral gaffe when he questioned Antonela Roccuzzo, Lionel Messi's wife, about her profession in Miami. As Messi thrives with Inter Miami, he reminisces Barcelona, aiming for a return while President Laporta emphasizes the club's future plans. Here's a glimpse into Messi's current success, aspirations, and the possibility of a tribute match.
Luxury watch influencer Ziv Tamir, known as "Ziv the Watch Guy," had an interaction with Antonela Roccuzzo, Lionel Messi's wife, in Miami where he approached her after a padel match, complimenting her expensive Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Rope watch, which is valued at around £20,500 ($26,800). But then Tamir dropped a question, which left Messi’s other half looking very confused. Unaware of her identity, Tamir asked, "What do you do for a living?" as is his custom in such videos. Antonela, initially confused, smiled and looked to her friend, who spoke to her in Spanish. She did not answer the question directly, simply offering a smile and a thumbs-up to the camera before politely ending the brief, somewhat awkward exchange. The video went viral due to Ziv's obliviousness to her global fame as the Argentina legend's wife. The Argentina icon has been a revelation at Inter Miami, he’s transformed the club from an MLS also-rans into trophy winners. He has delivered two major trophies, the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield, the first silverware in franchise history. On the pitch, Messi's brilliance endures, making him the club's all-time top scorer and assist provider in record time. His exceptional 2024 season saw him win the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games, setting a league record with five assists in one match. Beyond the stats, his desire for greatness has elevated the entire squad's performance and significantly boosted the league's global profile, attendance, and revenue. But despite this, Messi has recently spoken about his desire to return to the Catalan capital.Messi told SPORT: "I really want to go back there, we miss Barcelona a lot. My wife and I, the kids, are constantly talking about Barcelona and the idea of moving back. We have our house there, everything, so that's what we want. I'm really looking forward to going back to the stadium when it's finished because since I left for Paris, I haven't been back to Camp Nou, and then they moved to Montjuic." He added: "Obviously, I'm going to come back. I'm going to be at the stadium like any other fan, following the team, the club, and being just another supporter. For now, I'll be here [Miami] for a few more years, most likely, but we'll return to Barcelona because, as I've always said, it's my place, my home. We miss it a lot, so we'll be back there."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Messi made a surprise visit to the Nou Camp last week, sharing an emotional online message about the place he misses, hoping to come back one day not just to say goodbye. However, the 38-year-old recently signed a contract extension with Inter Miami through the 2028 MLS season. And Barcelona president Joan Laporta has stated that the club is building for the future and cannot live in the past, effectively shutting down transfer speculation. Both parties desire a proper tribute match to honor his legacy when the stadium renovations are complete. Laporta said: "Leo Messi’s return as a player is something just not realistic. As of now, he has a contract with Inter Miami. The club is building a project for the present and future. It's complicated, and if you live in the past you hardly move forward."Inter Miami are currently competing in the Eastern Conference semi-finals of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. They beat Nashville 2-1 in their first-round, best-of-three series, overcoming a shock loss in the second match with a decisive 4-0 win in game three of the head-to-head. Their next match is a single-elimination game on Sunday against Cincinnati.
The Padel Session Mishap
Luxury watch influencer Ziv Tamir, known as 'Ziv the Watch Guy,' unintentionally sparked confusion during a chance encounter with Antonela Roccuzzo after a padel match in Miami. Complimenting her Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Rope watch, Tamir asked, 'What do you do for a living?' oblivious to her identity as Lionel Messi's wife. The video went viral, highlighting Tamir's unawareness in the presence of global football royalty.
Messi's Inter Miami Success
Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami in MLS has been nothing short of transformative. Leading the team to victory in the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield, Messi's on-field brilliance has broken records and elevated the club's performance. His impact extends beyond statistics, revitalizing the league's global standing and economic prospects.
Yearning for Barcelona Return
While enjoying success in Miami, Messi openly expresses his yearning to return to Barcelona, calling it 'my place, my home.' Despite signing a contract extension with Inter Miami, he envisions a future back at Camp Nou, sharing emotional messages about his beloved club and the city he misses dearly.
Barcelona's Future Plans
Barcelona President Joan Laporta emphasizes the club's focus on building for the future, indicating that Messi's return as a player is currently unrealistic. While a tribute match to honor his legacy is desired, living in the past is deemed a hindrance to progress. Inter Miami's ongoing MLS campaign and the looming Eastern Conference semi-finals underline Messi's current commitments while he dreams of a return to Catalonia.




