Climate Activists Target Messi’s Ibiza Mansion, Sparking Debate on Wealth, Environment
Climate activists from the group Futuro Vegetal, who spray-painted Lionel Messi’s mansion on Ibiza. The activists aimed to draw attention to what they perceive as the responsibility of the wealthy in exacerbating the climate crisis. Their message, “Help the Planet — Eat the Rich — Abolish the Police,” was prominently displayed in a video released by the group. They used red and black paint to spray the mansion’s white facade, clearly intending to make a statement about environmental and social justice issues.
The group Futuro Vegetal highlighted their reasons for targeting Lionel Messi’s mansion on Ibiza, asserting that it was an “illegal construction” and symbolizing their message about the environmental impact of wealthy individuals. They referred to a 2023 Oxfam report that pointed out how the richest one percent of the global population contributed significantly to carbon emissions compared to the poorest two-thirds, despite the latter suffering the most severe consequences of the climate crisis.
Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami in the US, acquired the property in 2022 from a Swiss businessman for approximately 11 million euros ($12 million). The mansion features luxurious amenities like a spa with a sauna and a cinema room. These details underscored the activists’ emphasis on the excessive consumption and environmental footprint associated with properties owned by affluent individuals like Messi.
The reports indicating that Lionel Messi’s mansion on Ibiza lacked a certificate of occupancy are significant. This document, issued by local government agencies, confirms that a property meets all legal requirements to be habitable. The absence of this certificate suggests that the mansion may not have been legally approved for occupancy due to unauthorized construction, specifically the addition of rooms without the necessary licenses.
Such details add to the activists’ claims regarding the legality of the construction and could potentially amplify their message about the responsibilities and actions of wealthy individuals concerning environmental and regulatory compliance issues. It highlights broader concerns about how wealth and privilege intersect with environmental impact and regulatory oversight.
Futuro Vegetal has gained attention through a series of provocative protests aimed at highlighting environmental and social justice issues linked to wealth and privilege. Their actions include gluing their hands to frames of paintings by Francisco de Goya at Madrid’s Prado museum in 2022, and spraying red and black paint on a superyacht reportedly belonging to Nancy Laurie, a Walmart heiress, while it was moored in Ibiza.
These protests align with their broader mission to draw attention to the role of the wealthy in exacerbating environmental problems and social inequalities. The group’s activities have not only sparked public debate but also led to legal consequences, as seen in the arrests of 22 members, including leaders and participants in their high-profile actions. Their methods underscore a direct and confrontational approach to advocacy, aiming to challenge perceptions and policies related to wealth, consumption, and environmental responsibility.
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