Aaron Boupendza was unveiled as an FC Cincinnati player on July 14, and the forward was one of the starters ten days on as the team drew 3-3 against **Kansas City** at Leagues Cup 2023.
The Gabon international arrived from Al-Shabab, and has scored 68 goals in 138 appearances so far in his club soccer career. What caught the eye beyond his numbers, though, is the way in which he was presented by his new club, who were inspired by Lionel Messi’s arrival in MLS.
The Argentine was already making the most of the new chapter of his career in North America shortly after his arrival. In his first few hours in Florida, while waiting for his move to Inter Miami CF to be completed, the 36-year-old set aside his evening on July 13 for a simple errand: his grocery shopping.
The forward had gone with his wife Antonela Rocuzzo and their three sons, Thiagio, Mateo, and Ciro. Pictures of the family down at the supermarket went viral around the world, and showed that the player could be set for a more “regular” daily routine across the pond.
These had been the first images that filtered through of Messi in North America, and FC Cincinnati sought to make the most of the trend as well, as they unveiled their new forward in a similar vein. Although Aaron Boupendza didn’t go down to the supermarket for a photo session, the club put together an edit which included the striker’s shopping list - a bag of vegetables and a couple of soccer balls.
The image quickly went viral, as the club’s new signing ahead of Leagues Cup 2023 was unveiled. The team came away with two points in their opening game, as they won their penalty shoot-out against Kansas City after a dramatic 3-3 draw. Will Boupendza be able to put the two balls he bought at the store into the back of the net in their next game?
