International soccer player Lionel Messi pays $10.75 million for a Fort Lauderdale property.

The purchase wraps months of house hunting for Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, who moved to South Florida with their three sons this summer, after he signed a contract to play for Inter Miami. They were looking for houses between Boca Raton in Palm Beach County and Fort Lauderdale in Broward.

“This represents Fort Lauderdale being one of the best destinations in southeast Florida,” said Jenni Morejon, CEO of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority. “Messi choosing to call Fort Lauderdale home says this city provides the best amenities for international superstars and to anyone looking to live in a great community.”

Messi joined Inter Miami, just a few months after the Argentine sports icon led Argentina to win the World Cup in 2022. His Inter Miami contract will run through the 2025 Major League Soccer season. His total compensation package ranges between $130 million to $150 million, including equity in the club upon the completion of his playing days.

Compass real estate agents Samuel Simpkin and Donna Simpkin represented Messi in the real estate transaction. Both agents declined to comment Monday about Messi’s home purchase.

The Bay Colony community is among the ritziest neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale. It’s a short drive from the restaurants and downtown shopping on Las Olas Boulevard and Drive Pink Stadium, where Inter Miami plays home soccer matches.

Messi also owns Miami real estate, a condo residence in the Porsche Design Tower and a second one at Regalia Tower in Sunny Isles Beach.

Messi’s house purchase is another boost for the luxury residential real estate market that has been flying high in South Florida for a few years. During the pandemic, Broward County, especially the city of Fort Lauderdale, saw more home sales over $1 million than neighboring Miami-Dade County. Additional luxury residences and high-rises are underway to meet increasing demand.

“Fort Lauderdale is an approachable community but also exclusive,” Morejon said. “It has all the amenities of a big city but also being very close knit.”