Lionel Messi purchases a $10.8 million home in Fort Lauderdale.

Bay Colony, the exclusive gated community in Florida where Lionel Messi now resides, may see a surge in property value and prestige thanks to its newest high-profile resident.

Lionel Messi’s $10.75 million estate purchase in Fort Lauderdale is drawing global attention to his new gated community. As Messi elevates soccer’s profile in the U.S., real estate experts believe his presence could also boost property values in the area.

“A buyer with a massive international following is a magnet for attention, and ever since the news broke that Messi was house hunting in Fort Lauderdale, and then closed on a home in Bay Colony, all eyes have been on the area,” said Chad Carroll with the Carroll Group at Compass. “A new high-profile neighbor like Messi will up the ante for the neighborhood, which is already one of the most exclusive in the city.”

Bay Colony, an exclusive island community with around 100 waterfront mansions, is a prime destination for boating enthusiasts seeking privacy and security. With 24-hour guard-gated access, the neighborhood boasts an average home price of $4.6 million, according to Zillow.

Messi’s purchase of the nearly 10,500-square-foot mansion with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, has undoubtedly brought attention to Bay Colony. Real estate agents Samuel and Donna Simpkin, who represented the couple and are the exclusive agents for Inter Miami CF, believe his presence could drive demand and set a new price benchmark for future sales.

However, industry experts like Ron Shuffield, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, caution that while celebrity homeowners can enhance a neighborhood’s appeal, they don’t necessarily drive up property values significantly. “Buyers aren’t necessarily going to spend a million dollars more just to live next to a celebrity,” Shuffield explained. Instead, high-profile residents contribute to a neighborhood’s prestige, making it more desirable for potential buyers.

Beyond Bay Colony, Shuffield also emphasized the broader appeal of the Fort Lauderdale area, which continues to attract luxury buyers due to its waterfront lifestyle and upscale amenities.