LIONEL MESSI is on the search for a new home and could move into a castle outside Paris.
The Paris Saint-Germain star, 34, has been staying at the Royal Monceau, a five-star hotel with his family since his switch from Barcelona in August.
But he and his family are eager to find a permanent residence, and wife Antonella has been on the lookout for a perfect home.
And she has certain criteria which must be met, making the search more difficult.
The property must boast an indoor pool, a gym, several children's rooms, a protected parking lot, a private home cinema, air conditioning and a garden.
The pair's Barcelona mansion contained those features, with the added benefit of stunning views and a small football pitch.
Antonella thought she had found a place which suited her needs – a house in Neuilly-sur-Seine on the outskirts of Paris, but the owner reportedly increased his monthly asking price by £8,500 when he learnt Messi was the interested party.
That ended the family's interest, with Antonella's focus now on a castle listed at £41million on Sotheby's.
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The giant 2000 square metre property, built in 1899, boasts 30 rooms and ticks a lot of boxes.
It has a luxury indoor swimming pool, home cinema and a gym – Messi will even have access to his own personal squash court.
On top of that there are also garages and staff quarters on site.
Former France President Charles De Gaulle also stayed at the castle for three days in 1940 during the Second World War.
Antonella is said to have toured the property but will look at it again with Messi before making a final decision.
But the Argentine could be persuaded by the fact it is just 15 minutes away from PSG's training ground.
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