When soccer icon Lionel Messi signed a 2.5-year contract with the David Beckham-owned soccer club Inter Miami earlier this month, the Barcelona native came into the market for a new pad in the Sunshine State. Messi has owned condos in the area before, but it seems the footballer is looking for a larger abode to accommodate his family. TMZ posted photos of him scoping out a huge Fort Lauderdale mansion on Sunday with his wife, model Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons, five-year-old Ciro, seven-year-old Mateo, and 10-year-old Thiago in tow.
According to The Real Deal, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward, who scored the winning goal in his first game with Inter Miami last Friday, ultimately decided that the waterfront property posed a security risk. He was concerned it could potentially be accessible by boat: “My understanding is that he’s seriously now considering Palm Beach County because of the fact that he can get more privacy, more land, and security is very important,” agent Senada Adzem of Douglas Elliman told The Real Deal. With those parameters in mind, we decided to step up to the task of pairing the seven-time Ballon d’Ors recipient with his new American dream home.
Based on its specs, we imagine this lavish six-bedroom, 11-bathroom abode could very well be the one Adzem suggested to the legendary sports star, per her description in The Real Deal. It’s unclear if Messi has toured the place, but we think he should give it some thought. Spanning over 11,500 square feet, it has plenty of room for his family to sprawl out.
While the stately white abode does sit near a lake, it’s set in a private and uber-exclusive gated residential community, so, presumably, the chances of a fan rolling up on a boat are nil. Across 2.6 acres, the property hosts an Olympic-style saltwater pool with an attached spa, a fire pit set into a sunken lounge area, a tennis court, and a croquet lawn, which could perhaps be converted into a small soccer field for practice. Other sports-centric highlights include a gym, sauna, and a massage room. There’s also a six-car garage, convenient for Messi’s luxury car collection.
