BARRIO – Lionel Messi was mobbed by fans in Argentina while having dinner with his family. 

The 35-year-old was already a national hero before he led Argentina to the World Cup in Qatar in December, and it was almost inevitable that an enormous crowd of fans would gather to catch of glimpse of the star.

Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children were eating dinner at Don Julio, a restaurant in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires, but were unable to end their meal in peace after news spread that Messi was in the area. 

Messi and his family were escorted from the restaurant by local police officers amid thousands of adoring fans, but the soccer star looked in high spirits, much to the delight of his fans. 

Messi previously attracted enormous crowds in his home city Rosario, 180 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, after World Cup final, with fans swamping his car when he was on his way to attend his niece’s birthday party. 

Messi was forced to evacuate the team’s winners’ parade in Buenos Aires due to safety concerns.  

The PSG forward is back in Argentina for the international break after being named in the Argentina squad that will face Panama and Curacao in upcoming friendlies. 

But ahead of joining up with the Argentina camp, Messi found time to enjoy a meal at a steak house ranked 13th on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.