Lionel Messi’s next goal is to find a new home for him and his family in South Florida. Arguably the world’s best footballer is targeting a place in either Delray Beach or Boca Raton, the Palm Beach Post reported.
The European superstar, who won his World Cup championship with Argentina last year, announced his move to the MLS’ Inter Miami CF in the MLS a couple weeks back. He then got in touch with luxury real estate agent Senada Adzem of Douglas Elliman to assist him in finding a home.
“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,” Adzem told the outlet. “He is one of the most famous people, if not the most famous person, in the world, and I think it’s just a little quieter here.”
Though Messi owns at least three condos in Sunny Isles Beach, including a unit at Porsche Design Tower, he is likely not living there. Instead, he reportedly first looked for a home in Fort Lauderdale, but thought otherwise because water-front property meant the opportunity for people to gain access via boat.
Adzam told the Palm Beach Post she suggested, among other things, a $24 million, 11,500-square-foot Delray Beach home with six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms.
“They are going through the process of understanding what areas they want to be in,” Adzem told the outlet. “Miami is the epicenter of his fandom. He would have more privacy here.”
Speculation has run rampant over where Messi will live since he signed a record-breaking deal with Inter Miami and photographs of him shopping at a South Florida Publix were plastered all over social media.
Miami’s newest sports hero will be paid between $50 million and $60 million per year for the two and a half seasons he’s expected to play for Inter Miami, a relatively new soccer team owned by Miami businessmen Jorge and Jose Mas, David Beckham and other partners. Messi’s deal also includes equity in the team, as well as revenue-sharing agreements with Adidas, Apple and others.
— Ted Glanzer