The seismic signing of Lionel Messi, the world’s most renowned soccer player, by David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer has sparked a wave of excitement in South Florida, particularly within the high-end real estate sector.
The deal is rumored to be valued at around $60 million annually, encompassing partial ownership in the team. Ongoing negotiations also reportedly involve Messi’s entitlement to profit-sharing from two of MLS’s major partners, Apple and Adidas.
While the World Cup victor had the opportunity to join any team globally, including an extravagant $1.6 billion three-year offer from Saudi Arabia, Messi opted for Miami due to its lifestyle resonance with his native Argentina.
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, is not only the biggest star in world soccer but potentially in global sports. His decision to relocate to Miami has added further heat to the city’s upscale real estate market. Messi was drawn to Miami by David Beckham, who is a co-owner of the city’s Major League Soccer franchise.
The choice is quite obvious. In Miami, he can associate with famous acquaintances, converse in Spanish, and easily integrate into a city celebrated for its Latin population and culture.
Moreover, he already possesses multiple residences to select from within the city, but he’s set to embark on a house-hunting journey, further amplifying an already thriving luxury property market.
In 2019, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner acquired a luxurious condominium within the Porsche Design Tower, situated in Sunny Isles Beach. He paid $5 million for the 4,400-square-foot apartment, featuring oceanfront vistas, 24-hour security, a heated swimming pool, gym, and spa.
His most significant property acquisition in Miami is a condo in the Porsche Design Tower, affording him a beachfront spot in Sunny Isles Beach. According to its developers, the tower houses 20 billionaires. The Porsche Design Tower’s standout feature is its car elevator, transporting vehicles directly to the private garage of each apartment.
As with most of his real estate holdings, this was purchased through an entity named Edificio Rostower, under his father Jorge Messi’s name, although the connection was deduced.
Sebastian Tettamanti, the Executive VP of Marketing and Sales for Dezer Development, the developer behind the Porsche Design Tower, stated, “The deal was not publicly announced. However, it was leaked at the time and obviously the transaction has been recirculated recently. We have close to 20 billionaires in the Porsche Tower, but we maintain their privacy.”
Of paramount importance for Messi is the Porsche Design Tower’s robotic elevator, the Dezervator, enabling residents to drive their cars directly to their apartments. Each unit possesses its own private sky garage accommodating three cars.
Messi and fellow residents of the Porsche Design Tower are capitalizing on Miami’s escalating property prices, turning his acquisition into a shrewd investment. The Porsche Design Tower showcases a beachfront pool as part of its lavish array of amenities for homeowners.
“The Dezervator was created as an alternative to valet parking,” Tettamanti pointed out. “But our billionaire and famous residents appreciate the privacy factor. They don’t have to go through the lobby, and it’s become a popular amenity for this reason.”
In 2021, Messi made a larger condo purchase, acquiring the entire ninth floor of the Regalia Tower at 19575 Collins Ave for $7.3 million. With just 39 residences in total, this exclusive building features six pools, a spa, fitness center, yoga studio, children’s playhouse, chef’s kitchen, champagne bar, and wine cellar.
The astute real estate investor also spent slightly over $1 million each for two units on the 40th and 43rd floors of the neighboring Trump Royale tower. Messi’s second Miami condo acquisition was an entire floor within the Regalia Tower, adjacent to the beachfront Porsche Design Tower. He acquired it for $7.3 million in 2021.
Sitting in Sunny Isles Beach, the Regalia Tower provides Messi with stunning views of the beach and downtown Miami in the distance. While Messi’s Regalia Tower condo is believed to be more of an investment than a family home, it still boasts views of the Atlantic.
However, sources suggest that he is unlikely to reside in any of these apartments, as with three children, the Messi family prefers houses. Two years ago, during the 2021 Copa America Championship in Miami, Messi rented a waterfront mansion with five bedrooms on Key Biscayne. The property at 440 S Mashta Drive was listed for rent at $200,000 per month.
Acquiring a high-end property will solidify Messi’s position at the forefront of Miami’s vibrant social scene. Miami is now home to an increasing number of mega-celebrities, including Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Ivanka Trump, Gisele Bündchen, Tom Brady, Cindy Crawford, and, of course, Beckham.
This 5-bedroom waterfront mansion was rented by Messi for $200,000 per month in 2021 – a likely indicator of his housing preferences. During the 2021 Copa America, the Biscayne Key home gave Messi and his young family a waterfront presence close to Miami. The four-story Biscayne Keys home Messi rented showcased an infinity pool, boat dock, and extensive rooftop terrace.
Networking at this level is bound to be appealing to Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, who is said to be his confidante. The Argentine native is a model and influencer with over 35 million Instagram followers. The stunning brunette has endorsement deals with brands like Alo and Guerlain.