Messi sets red-hot Miami property market and celeb scene ablaze as he moves to Florida

Major League Soccer’s seismic recruitment of Lionel Messi, the world’s most famous soccer player, by David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF has created a tsunami of excitement in South Florida — particularly among high-end realtors.

The deal is said to be worth an estimated $60 million a year, including owning a minority stake in the team.

Negotiations, which are still ongoing, reportedly also include Messi’s receiving profit-sharing from two of MLS’s biggest partners, Apple and Adidas.

And while the World Cup winner could have joined any team on the planet, including an extravagant offer from Saudi Arabia of $1.6 billion over three years, Messi chose Miami, which has a familiar lifestyle to his native Argentina.

(Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup, is the biggest star in world soccer, and possibly in world sport. His decision to move to Miami makes the city’s upscale property market even hotter.AFP via Getty Images)

(Messi was lured to Miami by David Beckham, who is a part owner of the city’s Major League Soccer franchise.)

In Miami, he can mingle with famous friends, speak Spanish and easily fit into a city known for its Latin population and culture.

And he already has multiple homes to choose from in the city — but is set to go house-hunting, boosting an already red-hot luxury property market.

In 2019, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner bought a luxurious condo in the Porsche Design Tower, located in Sunny Isles Beach. He paid $5 million for the 4,400-square-foot apartment, which features oceanfront views, 24-hour security, a heated swimming pool, gym and spa.

(Messi’s most significant Miami property purchase is a condo in the Porsche Design Tower, giving him a Sunny Isles Beach beachfront. The tower is home to 20 billionaires, according to its developers.Porsche Design Tower/MEGA)

(The Porsche Design Tower’s major feature is a car elevator taking the vehicle straight to each apartment’s private garage.John Parra)

(Messi and others in the Porsche Design Tower are benefitting from Miami’s rising property prices, making his purchase a canny investment.John Parra)

(The Porsche Design Tower boasts a beachfront pool as part of its lavish set of facilities for owners.AFP via Getty Images)

In 2021, Messi bought a bigger condo just a few doors down, paying $7.3 million for the entire ninth floor of the Regalia Tower, located at 19575 Collins Ave.

(Messi’s second Miami condo purchase was a whole floor of the Regalia Tower just along the beachfront from the Porsche Design Tower. He bought it for $7.3 million in 2021.OPX / SplashNews.com)

(The Regalia Tower in Sunny Isles Beach gives Messi stunning views of the beach and of downtown Miami in the distance.Douglas Elliman / Splash News / SplashNews.com)

(Messi’s Regalia Tower floor-through condo is thought to be an investment not a home for his family but boasts Altantic views.Douglas Elliman / Splash News / SplashNews.com)

However, sources say it’s unlikely he’ll live in any of those apartments, noting that with three children, the Messi family prefers houses.

(This is the 5-bedroom waterfront mansion Messi rented for $200,000-a-month in 2021 – which is likely to set the tone for his househunting.Romain Maurice/MEGA for NY Post)

(The Biscayne Key home gave Messi and his young family a waterfront presence close to Miami during the 2021 Copa America.Romain Maurice/MEGA for NY Post)

(The four-story Biscayne Keys home Messi rented boasted an infinity pool, a boat dock, and an extensive roof terrace.Romain Maurice/MEGA for NY Post)

(Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo will be looking for a house for their three children: Ciro, 5, Mateo, 7; and Thiago, 10. WireImage)

Ref: Messi sets red-hot Miami property market and celeb scene ablaze as he moves to Florida (nypost)