Argentina football icon, Lionel Messi, has taken legal action after his luxurious mansion in Ibiza, Spain, was vandalized.
The incident, which occurred on August 6, involved the defacement of Messi’s ₦19.2 billion, $12 million, property with red and black graffiti eith a discotheque, gym, spa, swimming pool, paddle tennis, soccer and golf courses and almost 20,000 square meters was totally destroyed by the group of activists who call themselves ‘Futuro Vegetal ‘, Vegetable Future.
In response, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is demanding ₦88 million, €50,000, in compensation from the environmental activist group Futuro Vegetal, which has claimed responsibility for the act.
The group, known for its non-violent civil disobedience tactics, stated that the graffiti attack was intended to highlight the role of the world’s wealthiest individuals in exacerbating the global climate crisis.
Messi, however, views the incident as a serious violation, and through one of his employees on the Balearic island, he has filed a formal complaint with the Civil Guard.
Spanish newspaper Dario AS reports that Bilbo Bassaterra, a spokesperson for Futuro Vegetal, confirmed the details of Messi’s complaint on August 16.
Bassaterra expressed surprise at the compensation amount Messi is seeking, calling it excessively high.
“This is tempera that washes off with water; at most, you might have to scrub a little or repaint, but it certainly doesn’t cost €50,000,” Bassaterra noted.
Despite the legal threat, Futuro Vegetal remains resolute in their mission, insisting that their cause—fighting climate change—justifies their actions.
They also view Messi’s demand as an attempt to intimidate and suppress their activism.
