Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Inter Miami, Football, MLS
Ryan Smart
Lionel Messi once bought his neighbours' house because they were too noisy, according to his former Barcelona team-mate Ivan Rakitic.
The Argentinian currently plays for Inter Miami, having joined the club on a free transfer from PSG last summer.
The MLS side became his third club in the space of two years, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner being forced into an emotional departure from Barcelona due to financial and contract registration issues in 2021.
Advert
According to The Real Deal, Messi and his wife acquired an eight-bedroom Florida mansion worth $10.8 million last year as he settled into life in the United States.
When he was at Barcelona, his house was said to be situated just 12 miles away from Camp Nou and the club's training ground.
But according to Rakitic, who played with Messi at Barca between 2014 and 2020, he did have some slight issues when it came to the housing department.
Advert
The Croatian spoke to home outlet Novi List in 2017 about life in Catalunya, having settled in the Castelldefels area that many Barca stars called and do call home.
He said (quotes via Marca): "I've only seen some of the most touristy areas from the second floor of the Barcelona bus during celebratory parades.
"For instance, I've never been to Las Ramblas or Montjuic except when we celebrated.
"I've never had any problems with my neighbours, unlike Messi who had to buy his neighbour's house because he was too noisy."
Advert
Rakitic, now 35, currently plays in the Saudi Pro League with Al Shabab, having been part of the summer exodus of European players to join the league.
There hasn't yet been any details of which house Rakitic has chosen to purchase - although hopefully, whatever he has decided on, he hasn't got any noisy neighbours to deal with.