In brief
- Lionel Messi is retiring from international football after a final match against Benin on 6 September.
- His Castelldefels villa spans 10,000 m² following several successive extensions.
- The property is now valued at 10 million euros by real estate experts.
- The Argentine will move in permanently in 2028, at the end of his American contract.
The final curtain is drawing for one of the greatest sportsmen in history. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi will play his final match with the Argentine national team this Tuesday, 6 September, against Benin. At 39, the global star has chosen to close this international chapter to quietly prepare his transition to a civilian life that he has already meticulously organised south of Barcelona.
This decision marks a historic turning point for the world of football. After wearing the sky blue and white shirt of the Albiceleste for so many years and reaching the ultimate peak, the legendary number ten is turning the page on national selections. This final encounter against the Benin team holds major symbolic importance, sealing an international career marked by success, unmatched records, and intense emotions shared with millions of supporters across the planet.
For the player, the future is not being written on the fly but is instead being organised in a methodical manner. Planning his family life after professional sport has always been an absolute priority. It is in Catalonia, a land that saw him grow, flourish, and become a global icon, that the champion has chosen to establish his permanent anchor. The announcement of his future return to the residential suburbs of Barcelona demonstrates his visceral attachment to this region where he built his strongest personal and family foundations.
The choice of the upscale Bellamar district
The exclusive choice of the upscale Bellamar district
Located in the coastal town of Castelldefels, about twenty kilometres from the Catalan capital, Lionel Messi’s home is situated in the residential district of Bellamar. This refuge, favoured by the region’s wealthiest individuals, offers total privacy and a spectacular view of the Mediterranean and the Garraf massif, an ideal setting for the player’s post-career life.
The Bellamar area was not chosen by chance. This highly upscale residential sector is renowned for its enhanced security, absolute calm, and discretion, essential criteria for a personality of the Argentine footballer’s stature. Nestled on the hills, the properties in this neighbourhood benefit from a pleasant microclimate throughout the year and immediate proximity to the fine sandy beaches of the Catalan coast, while remaining optimally connected to Barcelona’s major infrastructure, notably Barcelona-El Prat International Airport and training centres.
The history of Castelldefels is closely linked to that of celebrities and high-level athletes who have found a haven of peace there, far from the hustle and bustle and media pressure of the Barcelona metropolis. The steep terrain of Bellamar allows for terraced constructions that guarantee the absence of direct onlookers, thus protecting the daily life of residents from the prying eyes of the curious and paparazzi. It is this clever blend of preserved nature, between the pine forests of the Garraf massif and the blue horizon of the sea, that won over the Argentine from his very first years in Spain.
A monumental 10,000 m² property
A spectacular extension over the years
It was in 2013 that the Messi family acquired this residence for an initial amount of 2 million euros. Since then, the layout of the estate has radically changed: through the purchase of adjacent properties, the total area now reaches 10,000 m², with a main house rising over three to four levels depending on the wings of the building.
This impressive land expansion reflects the player’s constant desire to secure his immediate environment and to offer his loved ones an ever larger and more protective living space. Over the years, the progressive acquisition of neighbouring plots has made it possible to push the boundaries of the property further away from public roads. This strategy of territorial enlargement has transformed a beautiful contemporary suburban villa into a true private estate worthy of the world’s greatest luxury real estate properties.
The overall architecture of the home has undergone successive restructurings to harmonise the new volumes with the original building. The plans were designed to maximise the entry of natural light thanks to huge bay windows opening onto panoramic terraces. The different levels of the main house allow for the zoning of spaces, strictly separating reception and communal living areas from the private apartments reserved for family intimacy, all in a sleek contemporary style with light tones that reflect the mildness of the Mediterranean climate.
Between sports pitches and wellness areas
Between private sports pitches and wellness areas
For his personal comfort, the Argentine champion made no concessions on amenities. The villa features a genuine private sports complex including a football pitch, padel and basketball courts, complemented by a gymnasium, a spa, and a swimming pool. These high-end facilities now justify a price estimate of around 10 million euros.
The private football pitch naturally constitutes the centrepiece of the outdoor developments, offering the player and his children a perfectly maintained training and leisure space. The padel court, an extremely popular sport in Spain and particularly appreciated by the player, allows for sharing relaxing moments with family or friends. For daily physical maintenance, the indoor gym features latest-generation equipment, echoing the preparation standards of the most demanding professional clubs.
The space dedicated to relaxation and well-being is not to be outdone. The property’s spa includes thermal recovery facilities ideal for the body of a high-level athlete after long years of intensive competition. The large outdoor swimming pool integrates harmoniously into the heart of a meticulously landscaped garden, adorned with immaculate lawns and Mediterranean trees. All of these exceptional amenities, combined with the continuous increase in land value in the Castelldefels sector, explain why luxury real estate experts now agree on this 10 million euro valuation for this unique estate.
The family sanctuary after Inter Miami
The family sanctuary after the adventure at Inter Miami
Although he is currently playing for Inter Miami under a contract running until 2028, the Argentine has already confirmed his return to Europe. Lionel Messi will settle there with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children for a peaceful retirement in Catalonia, a region he lived in for over two decades and which he considers his true home.
The prospect of the 2028 deadline marks the beginning of a new era for the family. After discovering the Florida lifestyle and taking on the sporting challenge offered by the American franchise Inter Miami, returning to their Catalan roots seems an absolute certainty. It is in Barcelona and its surroundings that the couple’s most precious memories lie, along with their children’s school years and a deeply rooted network of friends.
The choice of Castelldefels embodies this need for stability and continuity. Antonela Roccuzzo and Lionel Messi built their adult lives there and saw their sons grow up there. For the couple, this immense Bellamar property represents much more than just an exceptional real estate asset; it is a true emotional safe, a protective haven where the family can gather in full, far from the hustle and bustle of professional football, to begin a new chapter of their lives in a familiar and warm environment.
