Lionel Messi and Dani Alves Set to Have Competing Restaurants in Barcelona

Having performed in unison down Barcelona’s right flank for many years, Lionel Messi and Dani Alves will now find themselves at odds with each other. That’s because they'll hold a stake in restaurants that will be less than five minutes away from one another.

As reported by Sport, Alves has opened a Brazilian restaurant in the Eixample region of Barcelona called Boteco Fogo. However, he’ll face competition for customers from Messi’s venture, opening in July, which will be located almost a stone’s throw away.

Alves’ restaurant is situated at Calle Corsage, 231, although it’s reported they will be looking to expand. Calle Enric Granados, 86, is where Messi’s will open.

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“The two businesses will be trying to seduce clients in the same neighbourhood of the city, a neighbourhood which is heavily populated with restaurants,” it’s noted in the report. 

The Eixample region of the city centre is home to iconic attractions such as Gaudi’s stunning La Sagrada Familia and as such, is heavily populated. It means that while Alves and Messi may have to share some clientele, there’s unlikely to be a shortage of diners provided the food is up to scratch.

On the field, the duo have been tremendous for Barcelona for many years now. As noted by BBC Sport, Alves has been key to a lot of Messi’s goals during his time at the club:

After being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the quarter-finals, both men will be hopeful of seeing Barcelona to a La Liga title and Copa del Rey triumph this term.

Should they achieve the Double, you suspect there’ll be plenty of debate over where the celebrations take place.