AGS NEWS – On Tuesday, climate activists from the group Futuro Vegetal spray-painted a mansion in Ibiza owned by Argentine football star Lionel Messi.

The activists aimed to highlight the “responsibility of the rich for the climate crisis.”

A video released by the group showed two members standing in front of Messi’s house, holding a banner that read: “Help the Planet — Eat the Rich — Abolish the Police.” They then sprayed the mansion’s white facade with red and black paint.

Futuro Vegetal stated they targeted the mansion to show the impact of the wealthy on the climate crisis, describing the property as an “illegal construction.”

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Citing a 2023 Oxfam report, the group noted that the richest one percent of the global population generated the same amount of carbon emissions in 2019 as the poorest two-thirds, with the most vulnerable communities suffering the worst consequences.

Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in the United States, reportedly bought the Ibiza property in 2022 for around 11 million euros ($12 million).

The mansion includes a spa, sauna, and cinema room but lacks a certificate of occupancy due to unlicensed construction of several rooms, according to Spanish media.

Futuro Vegetal, linked to similar international groups, has conducted numerous protests, including a 2022 demonstration where they glued their hands to paintings by Francisco de Goya at Madrid’s Prado museum.

Last year, they spray-painted a superyacht in Ibiza, allegedly owned by Walmart heiress Nancy Laurie.

In January, Spanish police arrested 22 members of Futuro Vegetal, including the two involved in the museum protest and the group’s top three leaders.