Lionel Messi has one of the most expensive car collections among the world’s highest-paid athletes. The PSG forward, with his love of cars and a lavish lifestyle, was once rumoured to have bought a jaw-dropping US$32 million Ferrari 335 S Scaglietti Spider, according to The Washington Post.
Lionel Messi and his family in one of the football player’s many luxury cars. Photo: @leomessi/Instagram
When your net worth is US$600 million and you have won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times, it is no surprise that the cars you own are iconic, extravagant and unique.
Though Messi has since sold many of the luxurious cars he owned at the beginning of his career, including his famous Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale worth US$240,000, and the US$210,000 Audi R8 V10 (he was also forced to return his Audi RS6 Avant worth US$110,000), he still possesses an impressive array of customised fast cars to drive around in. Let’s take a look at some of them …
1. Pagani Zonda Roadster – US$4 million
Lionel Messi’s Pagani Zonda Roadster is one of the most expensive as well as fastest cars in the world. Photo: Handout
The most extravagant car in Messi’s collection is the legendary Pagani Zonda Roadster. The special edition of the Pagani Zonda is one of the most expensive as well as fastest cars in the world, as well as one of the rarest and most sought-after. The Italian masterpiece is built out of titanium, magnesium and carbon fibre. But there are no images of Messi flaunting his Pagani Zonda as the exotic car is not actually road legal, according to Spanish media.
The rare Pagani Zonda Roadster is illegal to drive on public roads. Photo: Handout
With a 7.3L V12 engine, one of Italy’s most spectacular supercars can hit 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 345km/h.
2. Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe – US$300,000
Lionel Messi arrives at the Joan Gamper Ciutat Esportiva in Sant Joan Despí for a training session in September 2020. Photo: Twitter
Another flashy car in the football legend’s colossal collection is the sporty and elegant Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe. This high-performance SUV is powered by AMG’s full-fat 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged petrol V8 engine. According to French media, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe is one of the most coveted exclusive cars in France.
The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe can go as fast as 280km/h. Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe goes from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 280km/h.
3. Cadillac Escalade – US$250,000
Lionel Messi is often seen driving his family in his Cadillac Escalade. Photo: @leomessi/Instagram
The sumptuously spacious Cadillac Escalade is a five metre long and two metre wide luxury car normally used by US presidents. The grand SUV has a massive and luxurious cabin and can comfortably accommodate eight passengers.
The luxurious SUV has a spacious cabin and can comfortably fit eight passengers. Photo: @Teradeportes/Twitter
No wonder Messi drives his family around in a Cadillac Escalade from time to time, as per British media. Powered by a monstrous 6.2-litre V-8 engine, the ultra-luxurious car can stomp to 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 210km/h.
4. Range Rover Vogue – US$200,000
Lionel Messi is often spotted behind the wheel in his Range Rover Vogue SUV. Photo: @najeebster/Twitter
Messi has a penchant for Land Rover and is often spotted behind the wheel in his classy Range Rover Vogue SUV. According to British media, he has been mostly found driving the black beast to go to Camp Nou, the official stadium of FC Barcelona. Equipped with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine, Messi’s Range Rover Vogue can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 250km/h.
5. Range Rover Sport – US$200,000
One of the greatest football players of all time also owns a white Range Rover Sport that he uses for daily chores like grocery shopping, according to Cartoq. Messi is regularly photographed driving the exotic SUV with his wife. Powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine, one of the fastest SUVs available in the market does a 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 280km/h.
