Eco-activists defaced Messi's Ibiza villa, he wants 50,000 euros for damages

The ‘green warriors’ argue that the international football star’s lifestyle is damaging to the environment

While the ‘Last Generation’ climate change movement is making headlines in Germany with their hand-gluing protest actions, their colleagues from the Spanish ‘Futuro Vegetal’ (Vegan Future) are trying not to fall behind in the attention-grabbing game. Two weeks ago, their activists spray-painted the walls of Lionel Messi’s villa in Ibiza while displaying a hand-written board with the messages: “Help the Planet. Eat the Rich. Abolish the Police”.

The Argentinian, who is widely considered the best football player of our generation and possibly of all time, was expectedly not impressed with the targeting of his property. He now demands 50,000 euros from the organization for the damages caused by the “paint job”.

On 6 August, Futuro Vegetal also violated the facade of the Leonardo Royal Hotel in Santa Eularia, which they accused of funding the genocide in Gaza. The three members were arrested by Guardia Civil two days after the act and were released after 24 hours, charged with criminal damage in two protests.

Messi’s villa construction not regulated?

The climate activist organization hit back at Messi’s demand for compensation claiming that the paint used was water-based thus it can be easily washed off with a bit of scrubbing and even a repainting of the wall wouldn’t cost 50,000 euros.

What’s more, the group doubled down on their attack against the football star’s lavish lifestyle by reminding the public that the property was built without a “planning permit”, according to Euro Weekly News.

The latter was confirmed by the Sant Josep Town Hall (in Ibiza), which said that it had asked Messi back in May to regularize structural elements of the property, including the swimming pool and garage. There has been no response on the part of the footballer.