Spanish architect designs football-themed mansion for Leo Messi

When Leo Messi's son Thiago was born eleven months ago, the World Footballer of the Year and his partner moved to an exclusive apartment in the Pedralbes neighborhood of Catalonia. The property is ideal for a young family, but it is just 1,300 sq ft and he shares a pool with 16 other neighbors like some kind of disgusting non-millionaire person. Oh, the humility.

It is being reported in the Spanish and Argentinean press, however, that the Barcelona star is upgrading. According to cuidad.com.ar, Messi wishes to settle in Catalonia for the remainder of his career and beyond retirement, so he has commissioned famous Spanish architect Luis de Garrido to build him an ultra-modern house.

Garrido told an Argentinean TV channel that he wanted to create a "symbolic" home that "identifies with his Messi's personality." So, working under the assumption that his personality consists of little beyond his job, he designed the most overtly football-themed house possible.

From above, the two-storey home looks like a giant football, while landscaping is designed to look like a field. The opponent's half will not meet FIFA regulations though, as it is made entirely from water.

Garrido has created environmentally sound homes for stars including Naomi Campbell, but it is not clear if Messi will choose to take this project beyond the design stage. If he does, you can be quite sure Cristiano Ronaldo will commission a slightly bigger football-shaped house.