A letter to Lionel Messi, from one Rosarino to another: South Florida may just surprise you

Dear Leo,

Welcome to South Florida! You’ve come to a very special place — one where a Rosarino like yourself can feel right at home. I know I did.

You see, I too hail from Rosario, the “Chicago of Argentina,” our beloved “Cuna de la Bandera,” the birthplace of the national flag.

And like you, I didn’t have a direct path from there to here. You dominated in Europe, I landed in Los Angeles for a few years. But when my parents moved the family to Miami, back in September 1990, it instantly felt right.

We couldn’t believe how much it reminded us of Rosario, our proud port city on the banks of the powerful Paraná River, full of character and characters, fútbol and folklore. We put behind us the mountains and dry weather of California and happily immersed ourselves in the flat terrain and humidity of South Florida.

The thick, clingy, all-consuming dampness here felt … familiar, hanging over everything, permeating your skin and making you feel temps deep in your bones, whether it’s hot or cold. You’ve noticed during previous visits, right, Leo? It has a particular scent, too, doesn’t it? Hard to describe, but you know it when you smell it. (I remember my mother’s smile that first summer when I asked: “Mami, why does it smell like Rosario here?”)

Of course, humidity means … mosquitoes. Those, yeah, not so fun — but you can’t say they don’t remind you of Rosario.

South Florida gave us water … everywhere. Not just at the coastline, but by the supermarket, the bank, our house. Wide expanses of water surround entire neighborhoods, with lakes, rivers and canals providing a vacation-like contrast to the monotony of daily life. We Rosarinos love being around water, don’t we?

We also love cumbia and Fernet Branca, mates and milanesas — all readily available here. In fact, we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to restaurants and markets with our traditional flavors.

The one specialty we haven’t been able to find, in 30+ years, are Carlitos Rosarinos. We only seem to get the Buenos Aires version of this toasted sandwich, which lacks our key ingredient — ketchup — and, yes, I won’t deny that we’re a bit bitter about that …

But I digress. Let’s focus on what unites, not divides, us.

For example, much is said about the “Miami accent,” that incomparable intonation that blends English, Spanish and Caribbean rhythms, words and sayings, making it stand out from the rest of the country. Just like much is said about the “Rosario accent,” known for its complete and utter disregard for the letter “S.” Say a plural word without pronouncing the “S” at the end and you immediately get: “You’re Rosarino, aren’t you?”

Here you’ll hear Argentine accents all around (been to Aventura Mall lately?), and there are palm trees far and wide to remind you of those lining beautiful Oroño Boulevard. Rosario has multiple murals in your honor, and new ones are popping up here every day!

You’ll also have, unlike in Europe, just a 1- to 2-hour time difference with Rosario. It will be so much easier for you and your wife, your childhood sweetheart Antonela, to feel closer to loved ones back home.

Interestingly enough, South Florida and Rosario both embody a certain swagger and boast idiosyncratic personalities that we’ll defend tooth and nail. (Think Pitbull and Fito, to name just two from the music world.) Both regions are fiercely proud of everything they have and everything they are.

Rosario has the elegant Teatro El Círculo, here we have the eclectic ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.

There we cross the river to get to “La Isla,” our popular coastal oasis, here we’re all about the island life: Jungle Island, Palm Beach Island, the Isle Casino … And let’s not forget, Star Island, the VIP of islands.

There we have the beachy shore of La Florida, here you’re IN Florida.

Enough said.

I admit we don’t have anything here quite like the majestic and moving National Monument to the Flag, with its almost 230-foot-tall tower overlooking the river, one of my most treasured spots. It is the beating heart of the city, the gathering point for Rosarinos in good times and in bad. South Florida does have the 450-foot-tall Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. You’ve seen it, it’s pretty impressive — and I guess it IS a gathering place, of a sort …

So there you have it: some observations from one Rosarino to another. I won’t say all are reasons to fall in love with a place, though that’s what happened for my family. I wish the same for your family.

In whatever ways South Florida changes your life, I sure do hope it leaves a positive impression.

Goodness knows you will most certainly change life around here. And we thank you.

Now about those Carlitos … think there’s anything you could do about that?