Getty Image / Aurelien Meunier - PSG
Lionel Messi cemented his legacy as ‘The Goat’ for many after he led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title. He had already been considered ‘The Goat’ by millions but the most coveted trophy in the sports world put him over the edge.
The Paris Saint-Germain star is currently back in his native land. He’s in Buenos Aires, Argentina while most of the professional soccer leagues are on an international break.
The Lionel Messi-led Argentinian National Team is set to face Panama on the 23rd and Curacao on the 28th. Both matches are friendlies.
While Leo was dining at a restaurant in Buenos Aires on Monday night fans got wind of his locale. This triggered a literal mob of rowdy Argentinian fútbol fans to descend upon the restaurant.
The rowdy mob was just hoping to catch a tiny glimpse of Lionel Messi whose security team was working double-time to get him out of there safely. Videos of Messi’s escape from the mob went viral on social media overnight.
The scenes in Argentina outside a restaurant where Messi was having dinner at 🇦🇷
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 21, 2023
The size of that mob had to be very concerning for Leo’s security team.
Lionel Messi and his family eatint at Don Julio, a restaurant in Argentina and here are the people outside. 😳
Via @DaroNieto.pic.twitter.com/0o34hyxZmk
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) March 21, 2023
They were able to get him out of there safely:
Lionel Messi trying to leave a restaurant in Argentina last night 😳🐐
(via @AndresLacouture)pic.twitter.com/xI1fWy6Xpa
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 21, 2023
Lionel Messi leaving the restaurant. Rock star. Via @M30Xtra.pic.twitter.com/sxHStBX1kQ
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) March 21, 2023
It is unclear how or why Lionel Messi’s location got leaked to the public although it’s unclear if anyone matters. The restaurant is basically getting a ton of free press now and Leo basically got out of there scot-free.
If the World Cup parade taught us anything it’s that Argentinian fans will go absolutely bonkers for their team. They climbed a 235-foot tall statue:
At one point, there were people at the TOP of the OBELSICO 🤯 https://t.co/kkvXqSgHAg
— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) December 20, 2022
They were jumping off bridges onto buses:
Apparently (cannot confirm or deny) this is the dude that fell trying to hop into the bus.
He’s on a stretcher…SINGING WITH THE CROWD as he’s being taken to the hospital 😳
Argentines – don’t try to understand them pic.twitter.com/PLacF3MpFS
— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) December 20, 2022
They also swarmed Leo’s home.