‘Tacky’: $150 million ‘Messi Mansion’ in Miami mocked

It’s an architectural triumph but what are the chances of this concept home for Lionel Messi surviving hurricane season in Miami?

Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami CF has sparked a wave of creative designs for a home he could live in - and one top contender has been met with awe and ridicule.

The concept home, dubbed the Messi Mansion in Miami and shared on Instagram by architectural designer Veliz Arquitecto, offers the star footballer three floors of hyper-modern luxury, multiple balconies and several pools, all nestled on his very own island.

Perhaps most ostentatiously, the mansion is built in the shape of an “M” when viewed from the air.

This $150 million concept home for Lionel Messi Miami has to be seen to be believed. Pictures: veliz_arquitecto/Instagram

The M-shaped mansion has been met with ridicule online. Pictures: veliz_arquitecto/Instagram

The concept home, which went viral amid an internet trend to design a hypothetical mansion for Messi in his new city, also boasts a games room, a home theatre and a huge garage, according to Veliz Arquitecto’s Instagram posts. In one room, the floorboards are plastered with the word: “MESSI”.

Outside, the concept home is equally extravagant. A corkscrew slide plunges into a massive infinity pool, with fire pits dotted around the premises. Helicopter and boat access is written into the concept as well.

Naturally, the mansion is also home to a soccer field.

It boasts a games room, a home theatre and a huge garage. Pictures: veliz_arquitecto/Instagram

It is dotted with several pools and fire pits. Pictures: veliz_arquitecto/Instagram

The home’s architect, Jorge Luis Veliz Quintana, said it would cost between A$124 million and $155 million to build the mansion.

“This figure encompasses the meticulous selection of high-end materials, state-of-the-art technology and exquisite architectural details that would give the mansion its distinctive character,” he told Fox Business.

“Furthermore, it encompasses the costs associated with building such a sophisticated infrastructure, as well as the exceptional services and amenities that would characterise this elite residence.”

Despite the high price tag, many Instagram commenters weren’t overly impressed.

“Looks like an AI app threw up everywhere,” read one comment on an image of the mansion shared by Complex, garnering almost 10,000 likes.

“Let’s see how it looks after hurricane season,” wrote another user, referencing Miami’s famously wild weather.

A third added: “Looks like a tacky cruise ship”

Others, took a more balanced view of the ambitious design.

“50 mill to have your house washed away in rising sea tides in about 10 years. Worth it,” one person wrote.

“If I could spend that much money on a house I wouldn’t give a single f***!”

Naturally, the home also has a soccer pitch. Picture: veliz_arquitecto/Instagram

The floorboards in one room are emblazoned with his name. Picture: veliz_arquitecto/Instagram

Mr Veliz has defended the home, saying he was inspired by Messi’s “iconic figure and distinguished career” and the “intrinsic connection with the marine environment.”

Messi joined Inter Miami last month on a contract rumoured to be worth $90 million per year.

He arrived at the club to massive fanfare, with owner David Beckham hiring a former soldier and MMA fighter as the star’s personal bodyguard.

Messi has scored 11 goals in the nine games he has played with Inter Miami, which is owned by Beckham, Jorge Mas and Jose Mas. The team has been around since 2018.