Pro Athletes With Awe-Inspiring Homes

Every little kid that's ever kicked a soccer ball around has probably thought about what it'd be like to be a pro athlete someday. And for some little kids, those dreams come true — and they make bank when it happens. It's no secret that pro athletes can command a hefty sum, but the amount of money that some sports stars make is frankly jaw-dropping: Lionel Messi, the superstar soccer player, earned approximately $130 million for 2021 – which is but a pittance compared to 33-year-old MMA fighter Conor McGregor's earnings of $180 million, per Forbes.

So let's be real for a sec. What do you do with all that money? And where would you go to escape the roar of the crowd and unwind? If you're a high-earning pro athlete, the likelihood is you'd solve both of these problems with one solution: a house unlike any other. Here at House Digest, we're taking a look at some pro athletes' homes that are truly in a league of their own.

There are pro-athlete homes, and then there's Stephen Curry's home. In 2019, the pro basketball player dropped $31 million on a three-story mansion in the Bay Area of Atherton, California, according to Dirt. Built new by developer Joe Comartin, the palatial property sits on a 1.2-acre lot and comes complete with a guesthouse and a three-car garage; it also sits snugly at the end of a private cul-de-sac so Steph and his wife, Ayesha Curry, can enjoy the peace and quiet.

The house, built in a super-modern villa style, embraces open-plan living within, with abundant windows lighting up the already bright space, as seen on Studio Green's website. A sitting space with a trendy modern fireplace feels cozy and plush, with a dining nook overlooking the outside world. Indoor-outdoor eating space connects to the extensive outside spaces that the property has, which are lined by high trees to keep the adoring fans out. And what an outside space it is: Around from a sprawling courtyard space with loads of greenery, a pool stretches out from the house, lined by sun loungers and with a separate cabana.

Eugenie Bouchard's tennis career has seen some glittering heights, and so does her Miami penthouse, an incredible property located on South Beach with city skyline views, shown in the National Post. The two-bedroom property is part of a unique venture focusing on sustainable living with a luxury feel, something that Bouchard clearly resonates with. "As an athlete, it was extremely important for me to find a place that was aligned with the way I live and want to continue living my life," she said of her Florida pad. "The natural aesthetic blends seamlessly into the health-inspired atmosphere."

It certainly looks the case, with the 1,815-square-foot property favoring natural color tones and splashes of green throughout. The master bathroom, with elegant, subtle wooden beams, has a spa feel, with a huge shower at the end of the space rimmed by gentle recessed lighting. The living space, designed (as with the rest of the property) by Debora Aguiar, contrasts tiled flooring with comfortable plush furniture, and recessed lighting in the shelving creating a cozy feel. And the master bedroom comes complete with not only sitting space but also a balcony, for Bouchard to take a breather after a long day of work on the court.

As one of the highest-earning soccer players ever, Lionel Messi needed something to do with his cash. And he certainly found something, by spending $7 million on a mansion just south of Barcelona — the athlete's long-time home — in the coastal town of Castelldefels, according to Architectural Digest Italy. The home marries Mediterranean decor with a view of the Med itself, with wooden tones running throughout in a casual, chic style. To complete the luxury, there's a swimming pool and spa, a home theater, and a gym.

Messi has more tricks up his sleeve when it comes to property, though — and one of his other homes will take your breath away. The world-class footballer is the owner is a specially-designed "One-Zero Eco-House," an eco-conscious home created exclusively for Messi that the architect Luis de Garrido says "is self-sufficient in energy, water and food," according to an interview with Design Trends. The home, which cost almost €3.5 million to create and spans well over 1000 square meters, is designed with the mindset that theoretically it could exist in a self-sufficient state forever. This is luxury living we can get behind.

A big star like Tom Brady needs a big house to boot. And luckily for him, he's found it by dropping some of his $350 million NFL earnings on a $17 million home in Indian Creek, Miami, Florida, according to Forbes. The neighborhood, nicknamed "Billionaire's Bunker" for its other noteworthy residents, houses just a few other dozen people, giving Brady and partner, Gisele Bünchen, the privacy that only a world-class athlete and a world-famous supermodel know the true value of.

The couple plans to tear down the property and rebuild from scratch, and a view into their formerly rented home gives us an idea of their potential ideas for the new place. The 22,000 square foot property that Brady and Bünchen previously rented from Derek Jeter had seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, a club room with a full bar and pool table, an 80-foot pool, and a home theater, as seen in Sarasota Magazine. The castle-like property paired white furnishings with dark walls and floors, and has ceilings that even Brady would struggle to hit with a football throw. The Tampa home also boasted astonishing views of the bay.

Alpine skiing sensation Lindsey Vonn's home eschews the glitz and glamor of many pro-athlete properties with an idyllic suburban feel, while still located in the razzle-dazzle of Beverly Hills, per the New York Post. The private-feeling house, which cost a not-insignificant $3.4 million, was bought in early 2021 by Vonn, and features three bedrooms and four bathrooms over 3,420 square feet. What's notable about the property, though, is how utterly gorgeous the interiors are: The open-plan aesthetic and broad hallways open up into a kitchen that almost makes us cry it's so beautiful, with white marble countertops, white cupboards with gold pulls, and statement pendant lighting in gold effect.

Elsewhere, the class continues, with the sitting room feeling cozy and designed to live in, while still containing statement features like a huge white marble fireplace. Dotted through the home is unique artwork, highlighting Vonn's love for creativity. Outside, Vonn has filled the patio area surrounding the pool with white-and-pink furniture, including a day bed on the lawn that's perfect for lounging in. The inside and outside spaces are connected by fashionable black-framed doors, allowing plenty of air and light to come into the property.

Baller Jordan Clarkson's Sherman Oaks home is pretty special. The former Lakers star bought the home situated in a gated estate in 2020, spending $5.8 million for the six bedroom, eight bathroom house with 8,000 square feet of space, says Dirt. The modern farmhouse aesthetic gives the exterior of the home a welcoming feel, with the buildings on the half-acre of land (the main house and the poolhouse) collected around the large swimming pool. Patio space and furniture give guests a place to relax, and the floor-to-ceiling windows on both the lower and upper levels allow the inside to remain bright.

Inside the home, the two-level sitting area is overlooked by a corridor with a balcony leading through the upstairs spaces, and contains a stunning glass-enclosed wine rack next to the comfy sofa. A wooden "floating" staircase, lit with strip recess lighting, leads upstairs, to the large master suite complete with balcony and sitting area. In the master bathroom, white and black effects contrast with the white textured marble in the shower, making a clean yet fashionable space that's completed by a freestanding tub. And — of course! — there's a basketball court.

Basketball star Candace Parker knows a thing or two about putting on a show, and her Tarzana home does exactly the same. The $4 million modern farmhouse property is set on a half-acre of land and offers 6,300 square feet of space, with five bedrooms and a generous seven bathrooms, according to Dirt. Inside, the home is visually stunning. The great room, incorporating a dining area, a bar, and living space, is a feast for the eyes with wooden floors, white walls, black cabinets, and gold beams over the dining table, and opens directly out onto the pool area and backyard.

Upstairs, there's an attic-style master bedroom, the slanted beams creating a welcoming feel, with a fireplace, seating area, and mini aquarium. In the master bath, white marble and black details are lit by a totally unique overhead ring light, a lighting feature that recurs through the house, including in Parker's enormous walk-in closet. It's the outdoors which takes the breath away, though: In addition to the basketball court where Parker can practice, the pool comes with a separate pool house, with a spa within and a bar and barbecue space outside.