On Tuesday, climate activists from Futuro Vegetal spray-painted a mansion in Ibiza belonging to Argentine football star Lionel Messi, aiming to spotlight “the responsibility of the rich for the climate crisis.”
Dramatic protest on Ibiza’s western coast
The activists released a video showing two members standing in front of Messi’s house near Cala Tarida, holding a banner that read: “Help the Planet — Eat the Rich — Abolish the Police.” The protesters then sprayed the white facade of the building with red and black paint.
Statement and motivations
In a statement, Futuro Vegetal explained their actions by emphasizing the disproportionate impact of the wealthy on the climate crisis. They targeted Messi’s mansion, labelling it an “illegal construction.” The group cited a 2023 Oxfam report stating that the richest one percent of the global population produced the same amount of carbon emissions in 2019 as the poorest two-thirds, while the most vulnerable communities suffer the “worst consequences” of this crisis.
Messi’s controversial property
Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami in the United States, reportedly purchased the property in 2022 from a Swiss businessman for around 11 million euros ($12 million). The mansion, which includes a spa, sauna, and cinema room, lacks a certificate of occupancy. This document, issued by a local government agency, certifies a building is in livable condition, but it was withheld due to several rooms being constructed without a license, according to Spanish media reports.
Futuro Vegetal’s activism history
Futuro Vegetal is linked to similar activist groups internationally and has a history of staging high-profile protests. In 2022, members glued their hands to the frames of paintings by Spanish master Francisco de Goya at Madrid’s Prado Museum. Last year, activists spray-painted a superyacht in Ibiza that reportedly belonged to Nancy Walton Laurie, the billionaire heiress of Walmart.
In January, Spanish police arrested 22 members of Futuro Vegetal, including the two who protested at the Prado and the group’s top three leaders. Despite these arrests, the group continues its campaign to draw attention to climate issues and the responsibility of the wealthy. These actions underscore the growing tension between climate activists and affluent individuals, emphasizing the urgent need to address climate change and wealth inequality.