A restaurant in Florida has Lionel Messi to thank after customers have been spotted queuing out of the door following a shoutout from the Inter Miami star.
The Argentinian pizza parlour Banchero in Miami received an unexpected boost when the country’s most famous name gave them a mention on Instagram. Given exposure to the 37-year-old megastar’s 487 million followers, it now appears that business is booming at the venue.
In a series of snaps posted on his Instagram Stories, the former Barcelona hero shared pictures of his pizza delivery after returning from international duty. Clearly fancying a taste of home after his brief trip back to South America, he opted to order a Fugazza.
Essentially, this is an Argentine take on pizza which most resembles focaccia and is the specialty of the Miami restaurant. The seven-time Ballon d’Or holder ordered the “Don Antonio”, which comes with mozzarella, tomato sauce, tomato slices, onion, anchovies and olives.
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After it received Messi’s seal of approval, custom has reached new heights for the North Beach staple. The venue are now referring to themselves as the home of “Leo Messi’s favorite pizza” in their own Instagram bio, which seems to have inspired punters to flock to sample the restaurant’s menu.
Banchero have already posted a snap on their page showing the queues outside the venue stretching out onto the street following Messi’s post. In a caption accompanying the snap, they said: “The corner of 71st and Collins Ave, look at it! Thanks to everyone for choosing us, thanks [goat emoji] for life.”
Fans of the restaurant and their famous customer took to the comments to praise the venue, with one well-wisher saying: “Best pizza in Miami!!! Way to go Argentina!!!”. Another added: “If Messi picks them, what more can you ask for?”
Messi’s post on the night before Inter Miami’s clash with MLS rivals Atlanta United signified that the star would be absent for the clash. In the end, that did turn out to be the case and the Herons duly struggled without their talisman as they lost 5-2.
The defeat came after the veteran forward missed the second of his country’s two World Cup qualifiers during the international break. After scoring the team’s winner in a 1-0 victory over Ecuador, he eventually sat out of their clash versus Bolivia as Argentina ran out 3-0 winners.
Although he did make it onto the bench for his nation, this was as an auxiliary assistant coach, as he watched on after complaining of fatigue previously. After returning to Miami, he then spent the day watching son Thiago play for Inter Miami’s Under-12 team as his club teammates headed to Georgia.