Lionel Messi has attended his first Miami Heat game, and his family appeared to enjoy the occasion after getting kitted out in NBA gear.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi, who is currently playing for Inter Miami in the MLS, attended a Miami Heat game as they faced off against the Boston Celtics in their playoff series. Despite Messi's presence, the Heat couldn't secure a victory, falling to a 102-88 defeat.
Lionel Messi attended the Miami Heat game at the Kaseya Center with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. The Argentine star wasn't alone; he was accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, along with other friends and family. This outing highlighted the camaraderie among Messi's circle and his new connections within the Miami sports community.
To embrace the high-octane atmosphere of the Miami Heat game, the Messi family wore custom Heat jerseys. Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, Lionel Messi's sons, each sported the iconic No. 10 on their replica jerseys, reflecting the number their father famously wears for both club and country. The customized jerseys were a fitting tribute to Messi's legacy while capturing the excitement of their first NBA game since Messi's move to MLS.
While the No. 10 jersey has been retired by the Miami Heat in honor of Tim Hardaway since 2009, it remains the iconic number for Lionel Messi. After enjoying a courtside evening at the NBA game, Messi will return to his usual environment: the soccer pitch. His next match is against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, where he’ll don the number that’s become synonymous with his illustrious career in football. The transition from basketball to soccer underscores Messi's diverse interests as he continues to make waves in the MLS with Inter Miami.
