Soccer legend Lionel Messi has not only elevated the sport’s status in Miami but also in the United States. His recent purchase of a $10.75 million estate in a gated community in Fort Lauderdale has garnered worldwide attention.
The 36-year-old forward joined Inter Miami CF earlier this summer, following his triumph in the World Cup in Qatar last year. The arrival of “Messi Mania” in Miami led to an influx of fans, both longtime and new, clamoring for tickets and merchandise. While the real estate market may not experience the same frenzy, it is not impervious to the hype, according to industry experts.
“A buyer with a massive international following is a magnet for attention, and ever since the news broke that Messi was house hunting in Fort Lauderdale, and then closed on a home in Bay Colony, all eyes have been on the area,” said Chad Carroll of the Carroll Group at Compass. “A new high-profile neighbor like Messi will up the ante for the neighborhood, which is already one of the most exclusive in the city.”
Bay Colony is an island community with approximately 100 waterfront mansions, drawing boating enthusiasts and those seeking maximum security, as it is guarded 24/7. The average home price in the area stands at $4.6 million, according to Zillow.
The attention brought by Messi, who purchased the nearly 10,500-square-foot mansion with his wife, model Antonela Roccuzzo, can undoubtedly “create a stronger demand in the community and establish a new price benchmark for future sales,” according to Samuel and Donna Simpkin of Compass’s Team Simpkin, who represented Messi and Roccuzzo and are the exclusive real estate agents for Inter Miami CF.
However, some experts argue that while a celebrity buyer may bring attention to the area, it is unlikely to significantly impact property prices. Ron Shuffield, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, stated, “Buyers aren’t necessarily going to spend a million dollars more because they’re living next door to a celebrity.” He sees it as a positive collective endorsement for a neighborhood, attracting those interested in the area due to its celebrity status and offerings.
Shuffield also highlighted the growing appeal of the Fort Lauderdale area beyond Bay Colony. “Fort Lauderdale is a prime example of this. City leadership has been proactive in moving Ft. Lauderdale from what was foreseen for so many years as a spring break haven to a thriving economic center and a top destination for permanent residents.”
Messi’s arrival in South Florida is catalyzing new infrastructure developments, including plans for a stadium. Cyril Bijaoui of the Corcoran Group noted that even the progress of Inter Miami’s stadium development has finally begun construction. “This will absolutely have a positive effect on future sales within the community and nearby.”
The property was sold in an off-market deal by Jennifer Abbott with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. Records from PropertyShark show that the property was last sold in 2022 for $9 million, yielding the sellers a return of approximately 20%. The sellers were unavailable for comment.
The eight-bedroom, nine-and-a-half bathroom residence was constructed in 1988 and designed by Toronto-based designer Lori Morris. It boasts 170 feet of water frontage, two docks, a fitness and spa room, an office, and a 1,600-square-foot primary bedroom suite.
“Homes in Bay Colony don’t trade often, so inventory is limited, and I think Messi’s purchase will cause prices to skyrocket,” Carroll said. “It is one of the few neighborhoods with 24-hour armed security and is less than a mile from one of the most prestigious private schools in South Florida.”