On Tuesday, the $12 million mansion belonging to Lionel Messi, the football star, in Ibiza was vandalised by activists from the Spanish group Futuro Vegetal.
The group, known for their radical environmental protests, threw red and black paint on the exterior of the house and displayed a banner reading “Help the Planet – Eat the Rich – Abolish the Police.”
Futuro Vegetal accused Messi of owning an “illegal construction” that does not have proper certification.
A spokesperson for the group, Bilbo Bassaterra, stated, “This is just another example of how the law does not work the same for everyone.”
The environmentalists cited the 2023 Oxfam report, which states that the richest 1% of the world’s population produced as much carbon emissions in 2019 as the poorest two-thirds.
They argued that despite this, it is the most vulnerable communities that suffer the worst effects of the climate crisis.
News About Nigeria gathered that Messi purchased the luxury property in 2022 for approximately $12 million.
The mansion, located in the San Josep area, includes amenities such as a spa with a sauna and a cinema room.
However, according to Spanish media reports, the property lacks a certificate of occupancy due to several rooms being constructed without proper licences.
The activists criticised Spain’s environmental policies, claiming they worsen the climate crisis.
This is not the first time Futuro Vegetal, which is linked to similar international groups, has staged a similar protest.
They staged a similar protest in 2022, where they glued their hands to frames of paintings by Spanish master Francisco de Goya at Madrid’s Prado museum.
