Lionel Messi’s private jet, a bespoke Gulfstream

In brief

• The acquisition of the Gulfstream V by Lionel Messi was finalised in 2018 for an estimated 15 million dollars.
• The aircraft boasts an exceptional range of over 14 hours of continuous flight, enabling non-stop transatlantic connections.

• The 16-seat cabin is personalised with the names of his family engraved on the entry steps and his famous number 10 on the tail fin.

Lionel Messi’s private jet, a Gulfstream V acquired for around 15 million dollars, provides regular non-stop flights of over 14 hours. This choice of aircraft, prioritising operational efficiency and family comfort over pure ostentation, accompanies the Argentine superstar on his professional and personal travels around the world.

The engineering of Lionel Messi’s private jet

Business aviation requires a combination of speed, range and supreme comfort. The Gulfstream V acquired by the player perfectly meets these technical imperatives. Measuring nearly 30 metres in length with a wingspan of 28.5 metres, the aircraft is positioned among the most reliable long-haul jets of its generation. Its engine performance allows it to reach a cruising speed of 882 km/h, with a maximum range of approximately 10,186 kilometres. Thanks to this range capability, the player can connect non-stop with key cities in his life and career, such as Paris, Barcelona, Buenos Aires or Miami.

One of the major technical assets of this model lies in its maximum cruising altitude. Flying at up to 15,545 metres, or 51,000 feet, the aircraft operates well above traditional commercial air traffic. This high altitude not only optimises fuel consumption but also minimises the impact of atmospheric turbulence to guarantee a journey of absolute stability for passengers. Furthermore, the advanced cabin pressurisation system significantly reduces dehydration and physical fatigue resulting from very long-duration flights.

A miniature apartment designed for the family

Inside, the layout has been designed as a true haven of peace, far from the sometimes overly busy decors of certain private aircraft. The overall aesthetic favours neutral tones, clean finishes and armchairs upholstered in high-end leathers. The cabin, nearly 14 metres long and 1.9 metres high, offers a generous space allowing occupants to move around with perfect ease throughout the journey.

Designed to comfortably accommodate up to sixteen passengers in a daytime configuration, the modular cabin can quickly be transformed to offer eight full beds. To enhance long-haul travel, the aircraft features a fully equipped galley, ideal for preparing bespoke meals, as well as two private bathrooms. This flying cocoon, often described as a family man’s jet, combines state-of-the-art multimedia entertainment technologies with a warm atmosphere, conducive to children’s relaxation and rest. The interior layout focuses on discreet luxury, eliminating any superfluity to concentrate on the essentials: the well-being of his family.

Bespoke details engraved in history

What gives this Gulfstream V its unique and priceless character lies not only in its technical specifications, but in the personal touches added by the Argentine champion. Right from boarding, the tone is set: on the retractable stairs leading to the cabin, the steps reveal a delicate engraving showing the first names of his wife and his three sons: Antonela, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. On the outside, the aircraft’s tail fin proudly displays the number 10, the legendary number that accompanied the athlete during his greatest hours of glory on pitches around the world.

This meticulous personalisation work was entrusted to an Argentine company specialising in bespoke aviation. By integrating these unique specifications, the overall value of the aircraft is now estimated at around 17.6 million dollars, whereas a similar 2008 model available on the market typically trades for between 13 and 15 million dollars. This bespoke private jet has thus followed the major stages of the player’s career, from his Barcelona years to his time in Paris, up to his move to Florida.

A life at the summit of business and sport

The acquisition and maintenance of such a means of transport naturally fit into the extraordinary financial dimension acquired by the football star over his career. With a net worth estimated at 1.1 billion dollars, the player is part of the very exclusive circle of sports billionaires still active professionally. His cumulative earnings, including his historic salaries and global advertising contracts, are estimated at nearly 1.8 billion dollars before tax over his entire career.

Since his arrival at Inter Miami in 2023, his annual earnings have been between 70 and 80 million dollars, an amount supplemented by strategic profit-sharing agreements on shirt sales and television broadcasting rights. Added to this are leading commercial partnerships with renowned international brands, as well as a lifetime sponsorship contract signed in 2017 with a historic sportswear manufacturer. This financial diversification and his wise investments allow him to sustain his lifestyle while actively preparing for his post-sporting future.

This article is based on public information released by Gulfstream Aerospace. La Revue des Hôtels received no financial consideration for this publication.