Lionel Messi bought his 10,500-sq-ft Fort Lauderdale waterfront estate for $10.75 million; after Miami condo purchases, it became his main US family home following his MLS arrival

Lionel Messi put down deeper roots in South Florida when he bought a $10.75 million waterfront estate in Fort Lauderdale in September 2023, just weeks after joining Inter Miami. The 10,500-square-foot home in the gated Bay Colony community gave Messi and his family more space and privacy than his earlier Miami condos. The purchase also came close to Inter Miami’s stadium and training base, making it a practical choice for his new life in the United States. Messi has since extended his Inter Miami contract through 2028, making the move look even more long-term.Why did Lionel Messi buy the $10.75 million Fort Lauderdale estate after joining Inter MiamiMessi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, bought the Fort Lauderdale property on September 1, 2023, according to Broward County records cited by the Miami Herald. The home sits in Bay Colony, a gated community in Fort Lauderdale, and is only a short drive from Inter Miami’s home stadium and training facilities.The location mattered because Messi had just moved to South Florida after leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami. Instead of choosing another high-rise apartment in Miami, he went for a large private home with water access, outdoor space and room for his family.The estate has about 170 feet of waterfront along the canal and comes with two docks. The property is also on a 0.44-acre lot, giving the family considerably more private space than a condo could offer.The deal was handled through an entity connected to Messi’s longtime wealth manager, Alfonso Nebot. Bloomberg reported that the property had previously sold for $9 million in May 2022, meaning the seller received a significant increase when Messi bought it the following year.What does Lionel Messi’s Fort Lauderdale mansion include inside and outsideThe two-story home covers about 10,500 square feet and was originally built in 1988 before being expanded and updated. Property reports have differed slightly on the bedroom and bathroom count, with the Miami Herald listing 10 bedrooms and nine bathrooms plus a powder room, while other reports listed eight bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms.What remains consistent is the size and setup of the home. It has a large primary bedroom area, several living and entertaining spaces, a fitness and spa area, an Italian-style kitchen, a swimming pool and a three-car garage.The waterfront is one of its biggest features. The pool faces the canal, while covered outdoor areas give the family space to spend time outside without giving up privacy. The two docks also make the property suitable for boat access.The home was designed more like a private family compound than a typical luxury residence. That made it a different kind of purchase for Messi, who had already owned expensive apartments in South Florida.How much Miami real estate did Lionel Messi own before the Fort Lauderdale purchaseMessi had already built a South Florida property portfolio before moving to Inter Miami. His first major Miami purchase came in 2019, when he paid about $5 million for a condo at the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach. The building is known for its unusual car elevator system, which allows residents to take their vehicles close to their apartments.In 2021, Messi’s family bought an entire floor at the Regalia tower in Sunny Isles Beach for $7.3 million. The four-bedroom residence included about 2,100 square feet of terrace space and was sold furnished. Local 10 reported that the unit also had a wine cooler with room for 1,000 bottles.These properties gave Messi luxury, views and strong security, but they were still high-rise residences. The Fort Lauderdale estate offered something different: a private yard, direct water access and much more room for family life.Messi and Antonela have three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. A house with large outdoor areas naturally offered more space for the children than a condominium floor in Sunny Isles Beach.How does Lionel Messi’s Fort Lauderdale home compare with his Barcelona estateThe Fort Lauderdale property is not the first time Messi has chosen a large private home over an apartment. During his years with FC Barcelona, he made Castelldefels, a coastal town near Barcelona, his family base.Messi bought the property in 2009 for about €1.8 million and later spent millions of euros on improvements and expansion. The compound grew to include large outdoor areas, a gym, a pool and a private football field.The Spanish home also became closely linked to the family’s life during Messi’s long Barcelona career. His move to Paris Saint-Germain and later to Inter Miami changed where he played, but the Castelldefels property remained part of his real estate holdings.The Fort Lauderdale estate follows a similar idea. Rather than simply owning a luxury apartment close to the action, Messi chose a property where his family could have more space while he remained close to his club.What does Lionel Messi’s Fort Lauderdale purchase say about his long-term US plans The biggest change since the purchase is that Messi’s stay in Miami is now longer than originally expected. When he arrived in 2023, his deal with Inter Miami was initially set to run through the 2025 season. In October 2025, Inter Miami announced that Messi had signed an extension through the 2028 MLS season.That extension gives the Fort Lauderdale home even more importance in the story of Messi’s life in the US. The mansion was already close to his club and gave his family a permanent base in South Florida. His continued commitment to Inter Miami now adds another reason for that choice.Messi’s South Florida properties also show that his connection to the region did not begin with his MLS debut. He had been buying Miami-area real estate years before signing for Inter Miami.The $10.75 million Fort Lauderdale purchase therefore stood out not simply because of its price. It marked a shift from luxury city apartments to a large family home built around privacy, space and easy access to his football career.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.