SO this is how Lionel Messi spends his money.
The Barcelona legend made a fair whack out of his old contract but is now looking for a new club after his shock departure was confirmed.
Despite a five-year deal being agreed in principle after his contract expired at the end of June, LaLiga wage restrictions mean the club have let him go.
Speculation is rife over whether Messi will sign for Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, a club in MLS, or return to Argentina.
But, one thing is for sure, whoever wants the Argentine magician will have to fork out a fair bit of cash.
Here’s a glimpse into his amazing lifestyle, featuring a luxury mansion, fancy holidays, plenty of flash cars, and host of hotels, including a new spot in Andorra.
HIS HOME
Boasting sea views and being in a no-fly zone, Messi’s abode – valued at £5.5milion – in Barcelona offers a tranquil experience.
Located in the exclusive suburb of Castelldefels, it’s the perfect spot for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to reside.
And he bought himself privacy by splashing out on his neighbour’s home, according to old team-mate Ivan Rakitic.
Located 12 miles away from the Camp Nou, Messi’s home has a small football pitch, a swimming pool, an indoor gym and a playground for his three children.
There’s also the incredible sight of the Balearic Sea to wake up to every day – you won’t get that in Manchester, Paris or London.
Close friend Luiz Suarez used to live nearby while Philippe Coutinho still does should a team debriefing be needed.
37The Messis live in a stunning mansion in the exclusive suburb of CastelldefelsCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
37Messi has a room dedicated to a collection of shirts in his home
37Football is always on the TV and the family can keep warm by the fireCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
37Messi often plays football in his garden with his Dogue de Bordeaux called HulkCredit: Instagram @leomessi
37The Messi family regularly congregate in the kitchenCredit: Instagram @leomessi
PRIVATE JET
If he’s planning on going anywhere in a hurry, Messi has the use of his own private jet that’s worth £12million and has his famous No10 on the tail.
It was made by a company in Argentina and designed for Messi family with the names of his wife, Antonella, plus children Thiago, Ciro and Mateo featuring on the steps.
It boasts a number of incredible features, including its very own kitchen.
There are two bathrooms and enough seats for 16 people.
Incredibly, the chairs can also be folded up and turned into eight beds too – providing ultimate comfort.
Messi, however, doesn’t own it – he leases the jet. Still, it won’t come cheap.
37Lionel Messi leases a luxury private jet worth £12mCredit: Goal
37There are names on the steps and a No 10 on the tailCredit: Goal
37The plane was once forced to make an emergency landing in Brussels
37There are 16 chairs which can be folded into eight bedsCredit: Goal
37The private jet boasts a kitchen and two bathroomsCredit: Goal
HOTEL
With tourism being a huge trade in Barcelona (at least before the coronavirus pandemic hit), Messi has invested his money shrewdly.
Like his footballing rival Cristiano Ronaldo, he has become a hotelier and bought a £26million hotel in the coastal town of Sitges – some 26 miles from Barcelona.
The four-star Hotel MiM Sitges is just 100m from the sea, has 77 bedrooms, including five junior suites and one suite, and costs around £105-per-night during high season to stay in a standard room.
On top of that, there’s the rooftop Sky Bar that boasts panoramic views of the town and Mediterranean Sea, as well as a pool.
If you’re looking to unwind even further, there’s a top-of-the-range spa that features a sauna, Turkish bath, sensory showers, a recreational pool, a cold plunge tub and a saltwater pool.
Messi also owns hotels in Ibiza, Mallorca, Baqueira and Andorra.
37Messi owns the Hotel MiM Sitges
37Sitges is a stunning coastal town just 26 miles from Barcelona
37The hotel cost Messi around £26million
CARS
Messi could probably afford to send his car collection to his new club with him when he moves out of Barcelona this summer.
The pick of his motors, said to be worth around £3million, is a £1.5million Pagani Zonda.
He also has a penchant for Maserati, with a £100,000 GranTurismo S and a GranTurismo MC Stradale in his garage.
Messi has also been seen driving a Ferrari F43 Spider worth £173,000.
Although with Barcelona’s deal with Audi ending last year, there were no more freebies from the German car giants.
37Messi boasts a car collection reportedly worth £3millionCredit: Getty – Contributor
37A rare Pagani Zonda worth £1.5million is the jewel of his car collectionCredit: Handout
37Messi seen behind the wheel of a Range RoverCredit: Getty – Contributor
37Messi loves a Maserati and has two different GranTurismosCredit: Xposure
37Barcelona’s sponsorship deal with Audi has since expiredCredit: Getty Images – Getty
FANCY HOLIDAYS
When it’s pre-season, Messi likes to let his hair down with a break away.
But he doesn’t go too far – often picking to hire a private yacht and enjoy Ibiza and Formentera.
In 2020, he and wife Antonella Roccuzzo were joined by pals Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas and their families for a trip around the islands.
They hired the stunning Seven C charter boat measuring nearly 92ft long that costs £40,000-per-week to rent.
Boasting luxury interiors throughout, the vessel sleeps ten guests in four rooms, including a master suite, a VIP stateroom and two twin cabins.
Her sizeable deck area offers plenty of room for sunbathing and relaxing, while there’s an outdoor bar to cater for guest’s thirsts.
It was a similar case this summer as the trio of families returned to Ibiza.
Previously, Messi has also stayed at the luxury Caribbean holiday resort Jumby Bay, where private villas cost £5,000 per-night and Sir Paul McCartney has once stayed.
37Messi, Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas rented this yacht in Formentera in 2020
37Suarez and Messi spent time on board the luxury Seven C yachtCredit: Splash News
37Seven C would’ve cost Messi, Suarez and Fabregas £40k-per-week
37Ten guests can sleep in the four cabins
37You can live like a king in the luxurious master bedroom
37All rooms are air-conditioned so guests are always in comfort
37No expense is spared with the luxurious interiors onboard the Seven C
THE TRAINING GROUND
For every season up until this one, Messi honed his skills at the state-of-the-art Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
Since 2009, Barcelona have made this their training ground. It also acts as a multi-sport pavilion for the other sports teams at the club, including basketball, futsal, and handball.
After training, Messi and Co can use the gym, sauna, and a full-sized pool – all aiding their recuperation.
Costing roughly around £65million, there are also living quarters where future Barcelona prospects border.
It was named in honour of Joan Gamper, the founder of the Spanish club.
37Messi used to train at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan GamperCredit: FC Barcelona
37The Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper boasts state-of-the-art facilitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
37The facility boasts several training pitchesCredit: FC Barcelona
37Barcelona’s professional basketball team is also based hereCredit: FC Barcelona
37Barcelona’s stars are put through their pacesCredit: Rex Features
LOVE OF HIS LIFE
Barcelona shares a special place in the heart of Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo.
Although they were childhood friends in Rosario, Argentina, Messi and Roccuzzo’s love blossomed in the Spanish city in 2009.
