'Toxic asset' - Lionel Messi's 'illegal' €11m Ibiza mansion threatened with demolition

The property is situated in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia on Ibiza’s western coast and was bought by Messi from Swiss businessman Philippe Amon in 2022. But it has broken planning rules as the Inter Miami star does not currently have a valid certificate of occupancy or the necessary permits for the mansion, which is situated on protected land.

A partial demolition of the mansion ‘has not been ruled out’ if the situation is not resolved, per ABC. The property is said to have been classified as a ‘toxic asset’ as it cannot be sold or rented out, and Messi was prevented from carrying out any further work on the property by a mayoral decree.

The holiday home also contains a 92-square-metre swimming pool and a private football pitch, and the city council have ‘opening proceedings’ concerning the ‘illegal changes’ according to the report.

In August 2024, climate activists Futuro Vegetal broke into and vandalised the property, painting it red and black and sharing photos of their actions on social media. Two members of the group were seen holding up a banner which read "Help the planet, eat the rich, abolish the police", believed to be in opposition to government policies which were only worsening the climate crisis.

Futuro Vegetal explained their actions at the time in a post on X: "We tinted Messi's illegal mansion in Ibiza. The mansion is an illegal construction that the footballer acquired for the exorbitant sum of 11 million euros. While this is happening, in the Balearic Islands alone between 2 and 4 people have died as a direct consequence of the heat wave. The richest 1% of the population is responsible for the same amount of carbon emissions as the poorest two-thirds. This is only possible because public authorities support an economic-social system that threatens life. While the far right blames migrants for the crisis and displays extreme violence against them, those of us who fight for a better world are clear that the problem is social inequality. Let's tackle the problems at the root. We need a radical change of system to face the Climate Crisis."

Messi reportedly hit the activists with a criminal damage charge and a £50,000 bill of compensation.

The 38-year-old will see this as an unwelcome distraction as he continues to shine in the MLS for Inter Miami. The great Argentine has scored an astounding 26 goals in 27 games in the MLS in 2025, providing another 15 assists, and scored a stunning free-kick as the club co-owned by David Beckham reached the knock-out stages of the Club World Cup in the summer. He recently overtook Zlatan Ibrahimovic to become the first player to register two or more goals in nine different matches in a single MLS season.

We may see Messi on the global stage for the final time at the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico in the summer, as defending champions Argentina look to create more history. Messi created headlines when he played in potentially his final-ever game on home soil against Venezuela in September, with Messi scoring twice in a 3-0 win.

He has yet to confirm whether he will take place in the tournament next summer, casting doubt upon whether he will take to the world stage again after all.

Updates will no doubt be set to follow as a decision is made over whether Messi’s Ibiza property is to be partially demolished, and how much of it will remain if so. In the meantime, Messi will continue to do his day job over in Miami and hope that further controversy does not derail what could prove a memorable year for the veteran superstar.

Heading towards the latter stages of his career, Messi will be thinking about what comes next after he does ultimately finish playing. Building up a series of properties around the world is seen as smart investment by many big names, but the Argentine will need to remain careful that he stays out of the spotlight with future purchases following this recent controversy, particularly if it does ultimately end with demolition and a negative outcome for the great man.