Lionel Messi's home on the Spanish island of Ibiza has been attacked by environmental activists (Image: Getty)
An attack by climate change activists on the Ibiza home of Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has sparked a diplomatic row between Spain and Argentina.
On Tuesday, environmental activists covered the sports star's grand villa in red and black paint before posing for photos shared on their social media accounts.
After allegedly vandalising Messi's luxurious estate, members of environmental group Futuro Vegetal unfurled banners demanding that people “help the planet, eat the rich” and abolish the police.
The agency captioned its Instagram attack, claiming to have painted Messi's “illegal mansion” in Ibiza, before adding: “The mansion is an illegal construction that the footballer acquired for the exorbitant sum of 11 million euros.
“Meanwhile, in the Balearic Islands alone, between two and four people have died as a direct result of the heatwave.”
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Environmental activists have tagged Lionel Messi's house in Ibiza (Image: Getty)
According to Spanish radio COPE, the attack on the home of the prominent Argentine sportsman has caused a stir at the highest levels.
Argentine President Javier Milei has reportedly asked his Spanish counterpart, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to “guarantee the security of Argentine citizens.”
In a message on X, Mr Milei said: “I sympathise with the Messi family for this cowardly and delusional act and I ask the government of Pedro Sánchez to guarantee the safety of Argentine citizens living in the Kingdom of Spain.”
The Argentine leader then called climate change activists “communists,” adding: “Communism is an ideology fueled by envy, hatred and resentment towards those who succeed. It has no place in a free and civilized world.”
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Lionel Messi's Ibiza home targeted by climate change groups (Image: Getty)
Lionel Messi played in Spain for La Liga club Barcelona for 17 seasons, setting a club record with his 778 appearances and scoring an incredible 672 goals. He is recognized as one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game.
Messi bought the San Josep property in Ibiza in 2022 and the World Cup-winning Argentine is a regular visitor to the island alongside his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children.
He has not yet responded directly to the break-in and vandalism of his property.
The Inter Miami star has enjoyed a spell away from football after helping Argentina retain the Copa America. Messi has captained his country to three consecutive victories in major international tournaments.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1933350/spain-argentina-row-erupts-Messi