LIONEL Messi has already settled into Miami life and its epic lifestyle.
The Inter Miami ace, 36, has become the star attraction of the MLS – bringing a star-studded crowd to his games.
18Lionel Messi has been hitting hotspots like Gekko, Miami Beach and has found a home since joining the MLS
18Messi has found himself a stunning home in Fort LauderdaleCredit: The Mega Agency
18Pals David Beckham and Sergio Busquets have joined Messi for some fine cuisine at trendy Gekko restaurantCredit: INSTAGRAM
Naturally, he is living the life of an A-lister.
His most lavish expense so far has come in the shape of his stunning £8.6million home in Fort Lauderdale.
Boasting its own boat dock, it has eight bedrooms, nine and a half bathrooms, a garage for three cars and its own luxury pool.
It’s the perfect abode to house his family, including wife Antonella Roccuzzo and their brood, Mateo, Thiago and Ciro.
But outside those expensively decorated walls, Messi is making the most of his new surroundings.
He is dining out at the best restaurants, with his favourite being Miami hotspot Gekko.
However, the weekly shop has proven to be tricky – with Messi and his familly mobbed by autograph hunters and requests for snaps by fans.
Eating out
Already, Messi is tucking in to Miami’s famed cuisine and restaurants.
His favourite appears to be trendy Gekko, a Japanese-inspired steakhouse and lounge.
Serving sushi, £1,000 steaks, and signature cocktails – it is the place to be seen in The Magic City.
It’s clear who introduced Messi to the restaurant.
As soon as he arrived, it was Inter Miami owner who took the Argentinian out for a meal along with his former Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets.
The trio even shared a snap on Instagram – showing of beaming smiles.
They were joined by their wives, as Antonella and Victoria Beckham celebrated Messi’s arrival.
It wasn’t revealed what they ate.
But, specialities on the menu feature lobster, olive-fed filet mignon, chilled oysters with watermelon granita and more.
It has become quite the celebrity haven, with Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria, and Bryan Cranston all spotted dining there.
Wag Antonella has been able to enjoy a night out with her girls.
18Japanese steak restaurant Gekko is the trendiest in MiamiCredit: INSTAGRAM
18Last month, Antonella was spotted partying with Victoria Beckham and her pals
Last month, she was spotted with Victoria Beckham at another hip hangout, Papi Steak.
They were joined by fellow Wags Elena Galera and Andrea Rajacic, the partners of Sergio Busquets and Thierry Henry, respectively.
Miami Beach staple
On one of his first nights out as a family, a Miami Beach pasta favourite served Messi and his family well.
They went to the very reasonably priced Cafe Prima Pasta, where pasta dishes start at $19.95 (£16) to the most expensive around seafood linguini costing $26.95 (£22).
The kids would have enjoyed the various desserts on the menu, from tiramisu to cheesecake and various ice cream.
Owner Gerard Cea made sure Messi posed for a snap, with one of his boys perched on a drum kit behind them.
As Messi tried to make a sneaky exit through the back door, he was mobbed by a waiting crowd of fans.
18Messi took his family to Miami Beach staple Cafe Prima Pasta and posed for a photo with owner Gerard CeaCredit: INSTAGRAM
18Pasta dishes like this seafood linguini are Cafe Prima Pasta’s speciality
18Fans mobbed Messi and his family when he left the restaurant
He stopped to take keep-sake snaps, and one supporter even planted a kiss on Messi’s cheek.
For his part, the famous No10 looked slightly embarrassed by the attention.
Antonella was also probed by reporters as she left the restaurant, but just offered them a smile as she led their sons to their car.
Sun, sand and sea
Ahead of his rain-soaked unveiling, Messi took a few days off with wife Antonella.
They did what any normal couple would do in their new plush surroundings.
The loved-up pair were spotted holding hands and taking a stroll along the beach.
Mrs Messi shared a snap on Instagram of the two walking along the stunning white sand.
18The world famous South Beach is a haven for tourists and sun worshippersCredit: Getty
18Wag Antonella and Lionel Messi were seen walking hand in hand on a Miami beachCredit: INSTAGRAM
18Love was in the air for the Messi and Antonella, who described her new surroundings as ‘Paradise’
She captioned the photo ‘Paraiso,’ which translates to ‘Paradise’ in English.
You can’t argue with that.
Home is where the heart is
Messi already has an astonishing property portfolio in Miami worth £15million.
This includes an amazing 4,400-square-foot apartment in the exclusive Porsche Design Tower, the entire ninth floor of the Regalia Tower on Collins Avenue and TWO luxury units in the nearby Trump Royale tower.
And he’s only added to it further, with his stunning new Fort Lauderdale mansion.
According to Forbes, it covers 10,500 in square-foot and consists of eight bedrooms, nine and a half bathrooms, a three-car garage and a pool.
There is also a spa, fitness room and TWO boat docks.
Property taxes on the house are thought to be in the region of £67,000 per year.
18Messi splashed £8.6m on his seafront propertyCredit: The Mega Agency
18The property boasts lavish and stylish interiorsCredit: Lori Morris Design by Brandon Barre
18Stunning views surround the epic mansion Messi has now boughtCredit: Lori Morris Design by Brandon Barre
18Lionel Messi owns FOUR apartments on Miami Beach
18The Porsche Design Tower boasts a lift that takes cars to the floors of the residents’ homeCredit: Getty
The inside of the house is just as impressive as the outside.
There is plenty of unique decor as one room even includes a model of a sheep – which should surely be swapped out for a GOAT.
The is plenty of natural light in the house that comes through the big windows that will allow Messi to enjoy views of the water outside.
The walls and floors are also decorated with what is said to be “bespoke finishes that speak to the highest standards of luxury design”.
