Messi mania! We take a look at the world’s most famous soccer star’s new life in Miami

South Florida has had its share of famous residents over the years, even back when South Beach was known as God’s waiting room and the Design District a more humid version of Alphabet City.

Major celebs have come and gone from the area (Madonna, JLo, The Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Joe Jonas). Some have made the Magic City their home for decades (the Estefans, Andy Garcia, Marc Anthony). Others have left, and been unable to stay away (we’re talking to you, Shakira).

Since the COVID pandemic, remote work and crypto bros, even more bold faced names have entered our subtropical mix. From Ivanka and her brood to Tom Brady and Gisele, who arrived happily married and now coparent their two kids as neighbors.

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And of course, we have our high-profile athletes to grace us with their presence: David Beckham (who had a big role in luring Messi here), Derek Jeter and Shaquille O’Neal.

Many locals can still recall where they were on July 8, 2010 — when LeBron James infamously announced he was “taking my talents to South Beach” to become part of The Big Three squad, along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Good times.

But few mere mortals have managed to generate as much buzz as this high-wattage newcomer: That would be Lionel Messi, arguably the hottest soccer player on the planet.

We think he’s going to like it here. The 36-year-old Argentine is wealthy enough to do this place right, ranking No. 2 on Forbes’ Highest Paid Athletes list at $130 million, just behind Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo (as far as we know he’s not moving, too, so put your jaw back in place).

With 468 million Instagram followers, Messi has major global cred, too, as does his influencer wife Antonela Roccuzzo (36.1M), who is a brand ambassador for such high profile companies as Alo Yoga and Guerlain. Childhood sweethearts who married in 2017, they have three school-age boys, Thiago, 10; Mateo, 7; and Ciro, 5.

So, what will their lives be like? Probably pretty frickin’ fabulous. Being filthy rich helps with housing issues. The couple can choose any coveted zip code they want, from Star Island to Coco Plum.

Messi and Roccuzzo already have a crash pad at the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach. Apartments on the 60-floor luxury high rise, starting at $4.3 million, each have private pools and garages, plus a handy elevator for your supercar.

So is the Porsche where they will settle? Bunking down in Sunny Isles makes sense geographically, just about 20 miles south of DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale where Messi practices and plays. We wouldn’t want our most precious asset to be stressed sitting in our notoriously hellacious traffic, would we?

Another bonus: The boys would be close to Miami Country Day School in nearby Miami Shores, a celeb magnet where Brady’s kids are rumored to be attending (Zoe Kravitz is a famed alum).

But since everyone and their mother knows that the world’s hottest sports star lives here that may change matters. There is the pesky issue of stalkers/nosy neighbors, despite the fact that each PT unit has 24/7 security.

Insiders say one of the reasons Messi chose Miami was that he could live in relative peace and not be mobbed by his legions of fans and press.

Scratch that; Messi got a taste of potentially intense stanning Wednesday night. As per a video circulating on social media, he and the fam dined Wednesday night in so-called Little Buenos Aires at Cafe Prima Pasta, where he’s chowed down in the past.

As Messi and co. made their way to the parking lot, he was swarmed by a handful of swooners. No. 10 obliged by taking a few selfies and even autographing a jersey, but still, as many commenters noted, security may need to be amped up.

Alejandra Ivalo was one of the people waiting outside to get a glimpse, and shared video with Only In Dade. She told Miami.com she had contacts who DM’ed her of the stellar kicker’s presence at the Italian stalwart on 71st and Collins Avenue.

“He’s a very good person,” said Ivalo, an Argentine who lives in Kendall. “We are so happy he is here.”

Seeing a star get surrounded in this fashion is slightly unusual in these parts. VIPs in the 305 are usually given their space, doing mundane stuff like eating out or going to the gym, unbothered (even JLo, back in the day). The unspoken rule among paparazzo seems to be that if famous folks are at a public event (like Shakira at Formula One), they are “fair game,” and if they are somewhere with their kids, you give them a respectful distance, according to veteran celebrity photographer Manny Hernandez.

But the “Candids” author who has been snapping the glitterati since the ‘90s says Messi is in his own stratosphere.

“I think he is unique as a celebrity,” Hernandez says. “He has a huge sports fans base. South Florida has a large Argentinian community and they have two things closest to God: The pope and him. Sports stars are for the people; movie stars are more for magazines and media, so we’re talking different types of privacy. The good news is that Messi is shown to be very approachable.”

Noted. Approachable, but for how long? We’re thinking there’s a good chance the power forward will seek a gated waterfront mansion with a roomy yard and space for the boys to run and play, like they did on vacation here back in the summer of 2021.

After his big Copa America win, the baller plunked down around $200,000 to stay for a month at an 8,200 square foot waterfront estate on Mashta Island in Key Biscayne. Insiders tell us he loves the Key, thanks to all the Argentinian residents and restos and could feel like kinda sorta he’s back in his country.

Chad Carroll with The Carroll Group at Compass is ready to help, if need be.

“Having to make a quick move, he will likely be looking for a property that is turnkey with a lot of land close to the stadium in a neighborhood that offers maximum privacy and security,” says the former “Million Dollar Listing” star, adding that some of the most exclusive, sought-after communities in Fort Lauderdale include Harbour Beach, Las Olas Isles and Rio Vista. “Many athletes also expect homes with all of the luxury amenities including water frontage, a personal gym, spa with sauna and cold plunge, movie theater and game room to entertain, and plenty of outdoor space.”

Regardless of where the GOAT lives, plays, eats and hangs, we will be rooting for the big guy at his first game with Inter Miami, slated for July 21.

Can’t make it? Tickets are going upward of $500 and are already selling like hotcakes, but you can pay homage to the soccer god in a myriad different ways all over town.

Hit Wynwood and take a selfie in front of Maxi Bagnasco’s massive mural, then grab a Messi Chicken Sandwich at the so called Guitar Hotel in Hollywood, where he visited with his brood back in 2021. Or toast to La Pulga at any of the Prison Pals tap rooms throughout South Florida. The GOAT: Greatest Of All Time premium lager, is an “extraordinary brew” that comes in a pink and black can, his new team’s colors.

Will all the Messi mania calm down after a few games? Hernandez, for one, thinks so.

“This is all new,” said the photographer. “There’s excitement in the air right now.”