Al Jazeera Net publishes the first pictures of the huge palace nicknamed the "Castle" built by the Argentine star Lionel Messi, the player of Paris Saint-Germain and his wife, which they are expected to live in after his retirement and their return to Argentina.
The so-called "castle" property is built on 3 adjacent plots of land on a private gated estate on the outskirts of the Bolga's birthplace of Rosario and contains a huge cinema, gym and underground garage with enough space for 15 cars.
Argentine media claims that the palace includes about 25 rooms, is divided into 3 sections, and includes an area designated for guests only to stay in, which has not been completed yet.
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Messi, 34, is said to have made his new home in a special area called "Kentucky" in Funes near Rosario (the area's most luxurious neighborhood) for the first time this Christmas, and ended up staying an extra week after contracting the coronavirus.
Work began on the property, which was said to cost about 5 million euros, about 3 years ago.
"This is the house located in Funes, near Rosario, where Messi stayed during the quarantine and no one has seen him before," revealed Argentine journalist Guido Zavora, who broadcast pictures of the huge palace.
Messi's palace in a special area called "Kentucky" in "Funes" near his hometown of Rosario (Getty Images)
The world star first stayed at home when he returned to Argentina from Paris for the Christmas holidays.
Local reports say visitors entering the property are greeted by a giant floor-to-ceiling image of Messi's back in Argentina's No. 10 jersey in the entrance hall.
His father and agent Jorge is said to have overseen the construction work alongside the architects, while Messi was focused on his football career.
First images of Lionel Messi's new £3million mansion in Rosario dubbed 'THE FORTRESS'…
Superstar footballer, Lionel Messi has spent £3million to build a massive mansion dubbed 'The Fortress' in his home city of Rosario in Argentina.
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Messi and his wife are said to have purchased furniture from Israel, Milan and Paris.
To protect privacy, ebony trees from Texas are planted at the entrance to the property, where the neighbors' balcony overlooks their pool.
Although Messi and his family are expected to use the property as a vacation home when they return to Argentina, local press speculated that they might spend some time living there permanently when the 7-Golden Ball winner retires.
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The international striker returned to Paris - last Wednesday - after he tested negative for Covid after the quarantine.