Lionel Messi, the football superstar currently playing for Inter Miami, may soon be forced to make significant changes to his luxury Ibiza villa amid claims that parts of the property were developed without proper planning permission before he purchased it.
The news has stirred both local authorities and environmental activists on the island.
Details of the Luxury Property
Messi reportedly bought the Mediterranean villa in 2022 from a Swiss businessman for around £10 million.
The 568-square-metre estate in Cala Tarida boasts a basement, annex, swimming pool, spa, and even a private cinema room.
Despite its luxurious features, reports suggest that the villa was built on communal rural land, which complicated the legal approval process for further development.
Planning Permission Issues
According to local reports from Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera, the previous owner submitted plans to expand the garage area by constructing additional rooms.
However, the Sant Josep City Council confirmed that no final building permit or certificate of occupancy—an official document confirming a property is fit for use—was ever issued for the added spaces.
Messi’s lawyer and representatives, including his real estate investment company Edificio Rostower and parent company Limecu (managed by his brother Rodrigo Messi), were reportedly unaware of the irregularities when the footballer purchased the villa.
They are now reportedly working to rectify the situation by ensuring that any areas not included in the original plans are demolished to secure the necessary certification.
Messi’s Connection to Ibiza
The Argentine star has been holidaying in Ibiza for several years, often alongside former Barcelona teammates like Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas, along with their partners.
His decision to purchase the villa followed one such vacation in 2022.
Environmental Activists Protest
The property has previously drawn the attention of environmental campaigners.
Last year, members of the activist group Futuro Vegetal (Vegetable Future) protested outside the villa, holding a banner that read, “Help the Planet – Eat the Rich – Abolish the Police.”
The activists also sprayed the white façade with red and black paint.
The group criticized Messi for acquiring what they deemed an “illegal construction” for €11 million and cited a 2023 Oxfam report highlighting that the richest 1% of the global population produced the same carbon emissions in 2019 as the poorest two-thirds.
They emphasized that the most vulnerable communities continue to suffer the harshest consequences of the climate crisis.
Steps Toward Legalization
Messi’s team is now reportedly in contact with local authorities to obtain a certificate of occupancy, with the understanding that areas built without permission may need to be removed.
The process aims to bring the property into full compliance with local planning laws while allowing Messi to retain his Ibiza retreat.