Lionel Messi joins celebrity Sunreef owners with new 27m Ultima 88 order

Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has ordered an 26.8-metre Ultima 88 catamaran from Polish yacht builder Sunreef Yachts. 

The yacht is currently under construction at the company's shipyard in the UAE and will join his MIM Ocean fleet, based in the Balearic Islands. Messi joins a growing roster of high-profile Sunreef owners that includes fellow footballer Robert Lewandowski, tennis players Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, and Formula 1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg.

The power catamaran will feature four guest cabins, alongside a full-beam owner's suite. 

On board, Sunreef's Ocean Lounge will provide direct access to the water for swimming and watersports, while a dedicated garage will accommodate a jet ski.

Outdoor spaces include a flybridge and multiple lounging areas designed for relaxation and exercise. The yacht will be powered by twin 1,000hp engines, although Sunreef has yet to confirm performance figures.

Messi said his family had long enjoyed spending time at sea, adding that the yacht's style and features suited what he was looking for.

“It’s a real pleasure to join the Sunreef family. My family and I have always loved spending time at sea whenever we get the chance,” he said. “Sunreef Yachts have the style and features I really like, and they’re a perfect fit for what I’m looking for. I’m really looking forward to experiencing the ULTIMA 88 and enjoying it with my family.”

Sunreef founder and CEO Francis Lapp added: "Leo Messi embodies an extraordinary level of excellence, but what makes this new chapter particularly meaningful to us is what happens beyond the spotlight.

"At Sunreef Yachts, we believe that true luxury is the freedom to choose how you spend your time, with the people who matter most. The sea gives us that freedom in its purest form. We are incredibly proud to welcome Leo Messi and his family to the House of Sunreef.”

According to BOATPro, Sunreef has 26 yachts on order or under construction.