Lionel Messi’s Viral 'Football House' Exposed: Viral Hoax Vs. Real Luxury Mansions
By Chloe Bennett
Q1: Did Lionel Messi ever live in or build the soccer ball house?
A: No. Lionel Messi never bought, built, designed, or lived in the soccer ball shaped mansion. The concept was created completely independently by an architect without Messi's knowledge or approval.
Q2: Who created the viral soccer ball house design?
A: Spanish architect Luis de Garrido designed the "One-Zero Eco House" in 2013 as a conceptual, sustainable project inspired by Messi's career. The Messi family quickly rejected any connection to the proposal.
Q3: Where does Lionel Messi currently live in the United States?
A: Messi lives in a waterfront mansion within the private Bay Colony neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which he purchased for $10.75 million in September 2023.
Q4: Does Lionel Messi's house have a real football pitch?
A: Yes. While he does not live inside a house shaped like a ball, both his longtime Castelldefels estate in Barcelona and his Rosario compound feature private, customized soccer pitches on their grounds.
Q5: Why did people believe the viral design was real?
A: The architectural renders were photorealistic, featured Messi's actual jersey number ("10") in the landscaping, and were actively promoted on international broadcast television before the athlete's management could intervene.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
