Lionel Messi’s dominance in South Florida continues to flourish. Not content with his already substantial real estate holdings in the Miami suburb of Sunny Isles Beach, the professional footballer has now secured an elegant waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale’s prestigious Bay Colony community, a gated enclave.
This extravagant acquisition coincides with Messi’s signing of a lucrative two-and-a-half-year, $150 million contract with the MLS club Inter Miami CF, partly owned by soccer legend David Beckham. The 36-year-old forward, a seven-time recipient of the Ballon d’Or, an award honoring the world’s finest player, is riding high after a remarkable 17-year tenure with FC Barcelona, a brief two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germaine FC, and leading his native Argentina to a thrilling 4-2 victory over France in the 2022 World Cup last December.
As first disclosed by The Real Deal, Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo recently invested $10.75 million in an off-market deal for a luxurious two-story residence mere minutes away from Inter Miami’s Drive Pink Stadium and the adjacent training facility in Fort Lauderdale. Samuel Simpkin and Donna Simpkin of Team Simpkin at Compass represented Messi in the transaction, with Jennifer Abbott of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty acting on behalf of the sellers.
Built in 1988 and previously purchased for $9 million by John and Stacy Dickerson in May 2022, this property boasts an impressive eight bedrooms and ten bathrooms, sprawling across over 10,500 square feet of living space. Described in a prior listing as a “carefully curated modern waterfront estate,” the two-story home features expansive glass walls that open up to a glistening pool complete with a waterfall, Baja shelf, and spa, along with two docks stretching along 170 feet of waterfront on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Nestled within a cul-de-sac on nearly half an acre adorned with palm trees, the stucco and wood-trimmed structure welcomes visitors with a generous motor court flanked by a connected three-car garage. The entrance, graced by double front doors, leads into elegantly designed interiors by Lori Morris, characterized by a timeless black and white color scheme, porcelain tile floors, and accents of metal and jewel tones for added warmth.
Among the standout features are a captivating foyer adorned with a cascading Murano glass and gold light fixture, which transitions into a sunken living area embellished with black velvet channel wall panels. Adjacent is an Italian kitchen equipped with a six-seat eat-in island, top-tier appliances, and a nearby breakfast nook encased in windows.
Further exploration reveals a cozy family room boasting a custom-built day bed and sofa, both featuring matching charcoal velvet wall panels. Additional amenities include a fitness and spa room, an executive office adorned with walls covered in black and brown striated wallpaper, and a sprawling 1,600-square-foot master retreat, exuding opulence with its “gold dripping wallpaper,” sitting area, private balcony, and spa-inspired bath complete with dual vanities, a makeup area, and a walk-in steam shower.
Regarding Messi’s other properties in Sunny Isles Beach, records indicate his ownership of at least two units valued at a combined $10.3 million within the 60-story Porsche Design Tower, along with a $7.4 million full-floor condo at the Regalia building. Additionally, he is rumored to have acquired a residence in the Bentley Residences building, slated for completion in 2026.
