Inside Lionel Messi’s insane real estate portfolio

PHOTO: Lionel Messi. YAHOO SPORTS

From a ‘mansion in the sky’ to an island compound and his European ‘fortress’ and more, football legend Lionel Messi is a champion when it comes to real estate too.

Football legend Lionel Messi would be taking a winner’s medal home to an impressive property portfolio were Argentina to claim the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Argentine captain and multiple Ballon d’Or winner, one of the leading scorers in this year’s competition, has a range of properties worth about $2m to $30m amassed over his extensive career.

The 35-year-old forward has also lived in homes worth a combined $42m thanks to his circa $800m fortune made from multiple endorsements and two decades playing for Barcelona and, from 2021, Paris Saint-Germain.

An aerial view of Messi’s mansion in Castelldefels, Barcelona. Picture: Google Street View

Castelldefels, Barcelona

Messi purchased his first property in 2009, in the exclusive coastal suburb of Castelldefels in Barcelona.

The property boasted sea views and was in a no-fly zone, situated a short drive away from the nearby Camp Nou stadium.

Messi, pictured with rival Cristiano Ronaldo, bought many of his properties while playing for Barcelona. Picture: David Ramos/Getty Images

Messi and his wife Antonela invested millions into the property and also purchased the plot of land adjacent to the home, with the current estate valued at $7m.

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Features of the home included a gym, spa, theatre, pool, and a personal-sized soccer field to practice and play on with his three children.

Messi invested heavily in his Barcelona property. Picture: Realtor.com

It is not known if he kept the property or sold it when he left for PSG.

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Sitges, Catalonia

In 2017, Messi began a new money-making journey as a hotelier – reportedly spending $30.5m on a four-star hotel in Sitges, Catalonia.

Built in 2013, the property includes 77 rooms, a full-service spa, a luxe rooftop bar and swimming pool with panoramic views.

The Mim Hotel in Sitges, Catalonia was one of the first hotels purchased by Messi in 2017. Picture: Getty Images

Messi has also invested in a number of hotels via Mim Hotels and the Majestic Hotel Group, with the chain acquiring properties across Spain and a new resort in Andorra set to open next year.

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Miami, Florida

In 2019, the footballer set his sights on the US and put down $7m on a Miami apartment.

The Mim Hotel in Ibiza is one of Messi’s most famous hotels, where people can stay for $300 per night. Picture: Getty Images

The property sits on Sunny Isles Beach with views over the ocean, a 500 bottle wine cellar and enjoys 511 sqm of indoor space.

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Access is also available to six pools, a spa, fitness centre, and a yoga studio.

The Sunny Isles penthouse triplex sold in December 2022 for $20.55m.

A view over the water from Messi’s Miami pad, which sold for $20.55m. Picture: Realtor.com

Messi also purchased the entire 9th floor of the Regalia building in Miami in 2021 for about $10m – a six bedroom and seven bathroom unit designed by architect Charles Allem. He paid

The residence has been locally called a “mansion in the sky in the most unique building in South Florida”.

Messi relisted the unit seven months later.

Though the pace of price falls remains significantly less than the larger falls in June and July, the downturn has continued to deepen as interest rates continue to rise.

Messi purchased the entire 9th floor of the Regalia building in 2021 before listing it for sale seven months later. Picture: Realtor.com

Rosario, Argentina

In 2022 alone, the Argentinian sportsman built a massive estate across three plots of land in Rosario, Argentina – his home town.

Reportedly, Messi plans to make the property his primary residence once he retires from his soccer career.

Dubbed ‘The Fortress’, the space has a cinema, a fully-equipped gym and an underground garage for 15 cars – enough space to house Messi’s car collection.