Lionel Messi Should Consider One of These Three Pads In His Miami House Hunt

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.

This freshly built 15,758-square-foot stunner, which is currently the priciest home listed on the market in Delray Beach, is set on a 1.2-acre plot near the water. We know what you’re thinking, but fear not, Messi: the walled, gated, and hedged property is set roughly 20 feet above sea level with “protective dunes evocative of the Hamptons” separating it from the water, per the listing, hopefully keeping any potential intruders at bay.

Although the six-bedroom, 11-bathroom home has a traditional-style façade, its cheerful red roof tiles are slightly reminiscent of Spanish architecture, which may remind the Catalonia-born sportsman a little of his homeland. The home boasts rooms designed for peak indoor-outdoor living, with folding glass doors that open right out to a saltwater pool. There’s also a sprawling lawn with plenty of space for the father of three to kick a ball around with his sons amongst mature palm trees.

Though it’s a little bit of a trek to Miami from this nine-bedroom, eight-bathroom dwelling, the manse offers tons of privacy and space, measuring in at 5.22 densely landscaped acres. The 10,191-square-foot interior is due for an update, but the home has a truly impressive exterior and expansive grounds. “Whether you envision creating an exquisite equestrian facility, a private tennis court, a putting green, or even a vineyard, there is ample space to bring your dreams to life,” according to the listing. That sounds ideal for a private soccer field—ahem, football pitch—to us.

Highlights include a grand foyer with marble floors and double-height ceilings, a huge koi pond, and plenty of welcoming spaces for the family to hang out together, including a covered outdoor patio set up for al fresco dining and a movie theater.