Lionel Messi’s plush new pad is a real eye-opener to his swanky lifestyle, and it’s clear why the Inter Miami talisman spends little time outside the house.
The legendary forward forked out a cool $10.75m (£8.45m) for his lavish digs back in September, courtesy of real estate company Team Simpkin, hot on the heels of joining David Beckham’s MLS outfit. He has since been reunited with Barcelona pals Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami.
Nestled within the exclusive Bay Colony community, Messi’s estate is perched on an island, complete with a pool that offers stunning views over the canals and the Fort Lauderdale skyline. Messi’s sprawling abode boasts 10 bedrooms, a swish VIP suite, and not one but two spots for boats, making it the perfect spot for hosting his new teammates.
Despite being the new kid on the block in Miami, the Argentina skipper admits he’s more of a family man, choosing to chill at home with his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, and their three boys. “No, the truth is that we don’t go out much either,” Messi told Infobae, dishing on his low-key life.
“We live in the area where the club is located and we have a short drive to Miami. We go out, we’ve gone out a couple of times, but I still don’t know it well.”
At 36, Messi’s still got plenty left in the tank and is all set to help Argentina defend their Copa America title this summer. He will not be straying too far from his new stomping ground with the tournament taking place stateside.
In a twist of fate, Argentina’s last group match against Peru is set to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which will also host the grand finale. Messi is hoping that it is written in the stars for him to lift the Copa America trophy in his new home city.
Talking about the challenge of playing in the States, Messi said: “The games played here in Miami are going to be different because the climate changes a lot, a lot of heat, a lot of humidity. But well, we in the group have only one in Miami, which is the third, and then if we continue passing and God willing we reach the final, you won’t come back until the final.”
The Inter Miami star is aiming to be the first Argentina skipper to clinch back-to-back Copa Americas since Oscar Ruggeri in ’93. Should the world champions keep up their winning streak, Messi’s pad could become party central for the squad’s festivities.
While locals might be pleading with Messi and his teammates to tone it down if they bag the Copa America title, his move has already been a jackpot for his gated community neighbours. Business mogul Patrick Bet-David spilt the beans on how his property’s value has soared since Messi became his neighbour.
“So far right now, according to today’s climate, I’ve already made $25m of equity on the house I own,” Bet-David said. “Messi just moved right next to my house. Everybody wants to be in our community.”
A look at part of the kitchen in Messi’s mansion (Image: No credit)
“It’s a gated community on an island with only one way to go, very safe, very protected. God willing it still is. Now that Messi is there everybody is fricking coming on their boats to look at the houses. We’re doing okay.”
Argentina start their Copa America campaign against Canada in Atlanta, Georgia (21 June) before heading to East Rutherford, New Jersey to face Chile (26 June). Their third group game against Peru will be hosted in Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium (26 June), where Argentina will hope to return for the final.
