Inter Miami star and Argentina legend, Lionel Messi has sued Futuro Vegetal for damaging and defacing his mansion in Ibiza, Spain. Messi who is rarely seen in the media and known to be highly reserved is taking this legal action against the organization for their actions which he believes to be unacceptable.
It is important to mention that this is not the first time Messi will be having a legal tussle with authorities or people of Spain. In 2016, he was involved in a legal row with the Spanish tax authorities for tax evasion, and he was finally found guilty by a Spanish court in 2019. Many believe that legal tussle was one of the reasons the Argentine decided to end his long term stint with FC Barcelona in 2021. This time around, Messi is having to deal with Futuro Vegetal, after the organization, known for ‘protecting the environment’ vandalized his property in Ibiza.
The Genesis of the Tussle
As mentioned, Futuro Vegetal is a group of activists that claims to protect the environment, and for people who follow them, it is safe to say they take things too far sometimes. This seems to be the case with Messi’s mansion in Ibiza.
Some members of the team claimed Messi’s home in Ibiza is an ‘illegal construction.’ They didn’t stop there though. They went ahead to deface it by repainting the property in black and red. These ‘environmental activists’ went a step further by taking several photos of their vandalization of the €11m home and posting them online. Probably, as a warning to others that they are capable of taking on anyone. One of the posts made by the group on social media platform X, reads, ‘‘Help the planet, eat the rich, abolish the police.’’
Messi’s Response
Well, Messi is usually not one of the athletes that usually court controversies, but this seems like a bridge too far for him, and he had to respond. After learning of the vandalism, the Football icon reached out to his legal team, and after a brief consultation, he decided to take legal actions against Futuro Vegetal.
Messi’s legal team swung into action and filed a suit against the self-acclaimed environmental activists, seeking €50,000 in damages.
What Next?
As at the time of writing, Futuro Vegetal is yet to pay the damages requested by Messi’s legal team. However, the law enforcement is already at the forefront of the case, and we believe there will be a resolution soon. Sounds like a confusing deal enough, counts for a bet on Lucky Star online casino for winning chances of the case, if only there were such.
Speaking to the press, the leader of the group, Bilbo Bassaterra confirmed Messi is indeed seeking legal damages against his group. He said, ‘‘We were detained for two days, but it wasn’t immediate. A day after the incident, the police conducted a raid, and we were taken in. After processing, we were released. But now, to have to pay Messi that amount for painting his house with tempera that washes off easily? That’s what his lawyers are demanding.’’
Bassaterra believes Messi is asking for too much, considering members of his group only used tempera (a type of painting technique that washes off quickly) in painting the mansion. But one has to ask, what’s the true cost of the actions his team has taken on the footballer’s mansion. As we know it, the property is now in the full attention of the media.
Final Thoughts
Futuro Vegetal believes Messi and other rich people are not doing enough to protect the environment. In fact, the group believes their actions are degrading the environment. On their actions regarding Messi’s property, the group said, ‘‘This mansion was built without proper permits, bypassing all administrative procedures. It also violates two environmental laws, posing a risk of collapse and being located in an area of special vulnerability for aquifers. Ibiza declared a state of emergency due to drought this week.’’
While we can’t totally deny that there are some truths behind the idea that Futuro Vegetal stands behind, we can’t get behind violent physical acts against the properties of other people. There is room for negotiations, and things could have been addressed in the court of law. Two wrongs do not make a right, and Messi is right in asking for damages for their vandalism of his property. We look forward to how the issue will be resolved in the next few days or weeks.