Lionel Messi’s mansion on the Spanish Island of Ibiza has been hit by climate activists (Image: Getty )
An attack by climate change yobs on the Ibiza home of Argentinian football superstar Lionel Messi has caused a diplomatic spat between Spain and Argentina.
On Tuesday environment activists covered the sports star’s large villa in red and black paint before posing for photos shared on their social media account.
After allegedly vandalisng Messi’s stunning property, members from the Futuro Vegetal eco group held banners demanding people “help the planet, eat the rich” and abolish the police”.
The outfit captioned their attack on Instagram, declaring that had painted Messi’s “illegal mansion” in Ibiza, before adding: “The Mansion is an illegal construction that the footballer acquired for the exorbitant amount of €11 million.
“While this is happening, only in the Balearic Islands between two and four people have died as a direct consequence of the heat wave.”
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Climate activists spray painted Lionel Messi’s Ibiza home (Image: Getty )
According to Spanish radio station COPE, the attack on the home of the eminent Argentinian sportsman has caused ripples at the highest level.
President Javier Milei of Argentina has now reportedly asked his Spanish counterpart, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to “guarantee the safety of Argentine citizens”.
Writing on X Mr Milei said: “I sympathise with the Messi family for this cowardly and delirious act and I ask the government of Pedro Sánchez to guarantee the safety of Argentine citizens living in the Kingdom of Spain.”
Going further the colourful Argentine leader branded the climate change activists “communists”, adding: “Communism is an ideology fostered by envy, hatred and resentment towards the successful. It has no place in the free and civilised world.”
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Lionel Messi’s Ibiza home was targeted by climate change groups (Image: Getty )
Lionel Messi played in Spain for La Liga side Barcelona for 17 seasons, setting a club record with his 778 appearances, and scoring an incredible 672 goals. He is recognised as one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game.
Messi purchased the San Josep property in Ibiza in 2022 and the World Cup-winning Argentine is a regular visitor of the island alongside his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children.
He has yet to respond to the break-in and vandalism of his property directly.
The Inter Miami star has been enjoying some time away from football after helping Argentina retain the Copa America. Messi has captained his country to three consecutive major international tournament wins.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1933350/spain-argentina-row-erupts-Messi