Lionel Messi in Miami; Elbori Barber in Puerto Rico, Argentina

Luis Andrés Rivera, who is also known as El Bori Barber on social media, is an entrepreneur from Puerto Rico who lives in Miami। His life changed last summer when he became Messi’s private barber। Despite his recently gained fame, it was difficult to get in touch with Rivera।

I arrive unannounced after tracing the new address। Destiny Barber Studio in Wynwood is a chic, modern setting with three black leather chairs। The mood is set by a carefully selected playlist of salsa music। When I arrive, Colombian winger Dylan Borrero from the New England Revolution is getting his hair cut by Daniel Ojeda, a barber from Colombia who had played a few years as a lower-division professional player for the Puerto Rico Islanders। When he sees me, Rivera is for a moment.

Lionel Messi in Miami

The disco music and red lights immediately set the mood at Cafe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach। The Italian cuisine restaurant is always full of locals। They say they serve the best carpaccio di manzo in the world, which is a bold statement, but one I don’t disagree with after trying the dish with raw beef।

The restaurant has pictures of celebrities who have dined there in the past and now। Photographs of Lionel Messi and his teammates Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul from Argentina are interspersed with candids of John Travolta, Matt Damon, Hulk Hogan, Michael Caine, Manu Ginobili, and Michael Jordan। Gerard “Gerry” Cea, founder, who emigrated from Argentina in 1985 to the United States, is seen with the celebrities in many of the photos

Elbori Barber in Puerto Rico:Lionel Messi in Miami

Messi visited Prima Pasta for the first time over ten years ago, but his most recent visit on July 13 last year resulted in one of his most memorable viral experiences since he came to America। After leaving the restaurant through the back exit, the Argentine playmaker was mobbed by fans। He signed a man’s jersey of Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s childhood club in Argentina, just one foot out of the door।

You’re the best player in the world!” a young boy shouted desperately in Spanish as Messi made his way through the crowd। “Bienvenido a Miami, Leo,” said a calm man before turning his phone toward himself and screaming, “This is crazy!”” Another man in an Argentina jersey kissed and suntanned Messi’s smiling left cheek।

Since winning a Copa América and a World Cup trophy with Argentina, Messi has reached new heights of fame, especially among his fellow countrymen and women। Of course, Messi has always been a huge celebrity around the world

The proprietor of the beloved restaurant

Since Messi Mania took off last summer, news of Messi’s July visit to Prima Pasta has made headlines throughout the globe. Inside the restaurant, however, things were very different. Guests pretended to be normal as Messi and his family ate next to them.

The 30-year-old barman who was working that evening, Angelo Acción, claims that Messi “gently strolled in through the front door.” “The patrons here were initially unaware that he had entered. Many of the patrons waited for him out back as soon as they saw him.

Initially, Cuban-born Acción is reluctant to discuss Messi. He was unsure about conducting an interview. Acción said that he had never been a football lover as he poured me an Old Fashioned. But he responds, ‘Everyone knows who Messi is. “Wow, that’s Messi,” was my first thought upon seeing him in person. He was someone I had never met in person. I also never imagined that I would run into him.

From behind the bar, 28-year-old Claudia Cabrera, another barmaid at Prima Pasta, sighs. She didn’t have a job that evening. She exclaims, “I can’t believe I missed him.” “That evening, I spoke with a buddy of mine who was present. When Messi is in front of you, she says, it’s nearly unbelievable.

As I wrap up my chats at the bar, I can feel the death stare of Prima Pasta’s general manager, Fabio Palombo. “Who are you? He says, “Who are you with?” to me. Palombo eases up after I show him my credentials. “I find it awkward to speak with reporters,” he quips, trembling. He was raised in Naples, Italy, therefore it goes without saying that he is an ardent fan of Napoli. “I’m a fan of Diego Maradona,” he declares.

After confirming a reservation and answering a nearby ringing phone, Palombo grudgingly informs me that Messi and his family—including his father Jorge and wife Antonela Roccuzzo—placed an order for the house specialties. Cheers to the black linguini, agnolotti rosso, and pennye ciao. “Messi visits here frequently,” Palombo claims. “His presence startled the patrons. We handle him the same as we would any other client.

Did he know that Messi would be arriving beforehand? Palombo remains silent. “Those are things that the owner handles,” Palombo says following an awkward quiet.

Prima Pasta’s cherished owner is Cea, 57. He boasts a pals list that would make any fan of pop culture jealous. René Pérez, better known as Residente, Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz, and the late Gustavo Cerati, one of Argentina’s most well-known rock stars, all have autographed guitars that Cea keeps at home in Miami. Prior to his passing in 2014, Cerati made numerous visits to Prima Pasta. The Messi family has made friends with Cea, who also owns a Gibson guitar autographed by No. 10 of Inter Miami.