13 Million People Amazed by Messi’s Childhood Home – Was He Really Born With a Silver Spoon in His Mouth?
The childhood home where Messi and his family lived has been revealed.
Messi and Ronaldo are two of the greatest football superstars in history, having fiercely competed against each other for the past 15 years. Ronaldo is well-known for his rags-to-riches story, overcoming a serious heart condition to achieve success.
In contrast, Messi’s early family life is less frequently discussed, leading many to mistakenly believe he was “born with a silver spoon,” enjoying financial comfort without concerns over money. However, the reality is far from this perception.
Recently, a user on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) drew attention by posting a photo of the apartment where Messi lived as a child. The photo quickly went viral, garnering over 13 million views in just a few days. Many expressed surprise at the sight.
A Modest Two-Story Apartment in Rosario
Messi and his family lived in a modest two-story apartment in Rosario, about 300 km northwest of Buenos Aires. The small space featured large wooden windows and peeling paint.
Messi’s father worked in a steel factory, while his mother was a part-time cleaner. Raising three children was financially challenging for them. When Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, the family struggled to afford his treatment, eventually receiving support from Newell’s Old Boys and later Barcelona.
The childhood home is now equipped with security cameras and remains unoccupied, with its doors firmly locked. Reports suggest it is still owned by Messi’s family and has not changed hands.
Currently, Messi owns a $3 million mansion in Rosario, where his family stays when visiting their hometown.
Messi’s Childhood – A Typical Rosario Kid
According to neighbors who knew Messi as a child, apart from his extraordinary football talent, he was like any other kid in Rosario at the time. He enjoyed riding his bicycle with friends, playing hide-and-seek, and sometimes mischievously picking lemons from neighbors’ trees to make lemonade.
“Leo was just like any other child here,” said Diego Vallejos, Messi’s childhood friend. “We rode bikes, fell off, and played water balloon fights.”
At the age of 13, Messi left Rosario for Spain to join Barcelona. Despite this, his hometown remains full of memories and memorabilia. A sports museum near his old apartment displays many of Messi’s childhood items, contributed by his family.
Messi has expressed a desire to end his career at his hometown club, Newell’s Old Boys. However, the World Cup champion is currently contracted with Inter Miami in the U.S. until 2025.
Messi’s Lavish Properties
Currently, Messi’s family resides in a $10 million Miami apartment, featuring eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a swimming pool, gym, spa, and numerous modern amenities. In 2020, Messi reportedly purchased another U.S. property but is said to have sold it.
In addition, Messi owns a villa in Spain near Barcelona’s Camp Nou, a million-dollar mansion in Rosario, and a luxury home in Ibiza for vacation purposes. Reports also suggest Messi has property in Italy.
