A little more than two months before the 2024 MLS season begins, Lionel Messi was seen working out at the gym with his wife’s trainer—who is well-known for his glute exercises. 

The 36-year-old Argentine was captured on camera performing pull-ups at a gym with her physical therapist, Bret Contreras, also known as “The Glute Guy,” by his wife of six years, Antonela.

She showed off her spouse wearing a dip belt with a weight between his knees on Monday morning, captioning her Instagram story with the phrase “Chin-ups.”

With a PhD and CSCS, Contreras is stationed in Miami. 

In the past, Antonela has taken pictures inside his gym with fellow Inter Miami wag Elena Galera, who happens to be the wife of Sergio Busquets, Messi’s close buddy and teammate. Since coming to the United States, both women have been staying in shape at Contreras’ “Glute Lab.”

On his website, “Booty by Bret,” Conteras provides guidance on how to “build your booty” in as little as three hours every week. 

His personal and professional Instagram account, @BootybyBretofficial, is likewise replete with fitness-related guidance.

In an interview earlier this month in his native Argentina, Messi—who won a record-tying eight Ballon d’Or in October—referred to the Major League Soccer (MLS) as a “minor league” about his availability for the 2026 World Cup. 

Right in the middle of the 2023 Major League Soccer season, Inter Miami signed the 2022 World Cup Champion, who promptly led the team to a Leagues Cup victory. 

He led the Herons to a 12-game victory streak with 11 goals in 14 games. 

Messi also brought in record-breaking crowds to every game he played in, helping the MLS’s average attendance figure rise. Messi also won the Leagues Cup with Miami.

On November 28, Inter Miami announced their first preseason match in advance of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, putting a stop to rumors of a potential friendly matchup with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.