Leo Messi Orders a Sunreef ULTIMA 88
Leo Messi has ordered a Sunreef ULTIMA 88. Sunreef Yachts announced the order on October 13, 2026, welcoming the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner into what the shipyard calls the House of Sunreef.
The 88-foot power catamaran is the same model that made its world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival. We filmed our latest YachtWay Spotlight aboard an ULTIMA 88 in Cannes. It is not his yacht, which is still being built. It is the model he chose, and you can tour it today.
His Yacht Is Still Being Built
Messi's ULTIMA 88 is under construction at Sunreef's shipyard in Ras Al Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates. When she is delivered, she will join his MIM Ocean fleet in the Balearic Islands. Sunreef has not disclosed the contract value or a delivery date.
His build is customized. It will carry four guest cabins, a full-beam master suite, a dedicated jet ski garage, and a large flybridge with room for lounging and fitness.
Why He Chose Sunreef
For Messi, the decision starts with family. In the announcement, he said he and his family have always loved spending time at sea whenever they get the chance. The ULTIMA 88 gives them a space of their own to do it.
His reason for choosing Sunreef was direct. "Sunreef Yachts have the style and features I really like," he said. He added that the shipyard is a perfect fit for what he is looking for, and that he is looking forward to experiencing the ULTIMA 88 with his family.
Sunreef founder and CEO Francis Lapp said the order means the most to the shipyard for what happens away from the public eye. He described the real value of a yacht as the freedom to choose how you spend your time, and with whom.
Why the ULTIMA 88
The ULTIMA 88 is built to give owners monohull speed with catamaran space and stability. Twin 1,000 HP engines push her to a top speed of up to 26 knots, and a hybrid configuration is available for quiet electric cruising. Her shallow draft opens anchorages that deeper hulls cannot reach.
Messi is not the first top athlete to choose the model. Tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz selected the ULTIMA 88 as his first yacht.
Inside the YachtWay Spotlight
Our Spotlight was filmed aboard an ULTIMA 88 in Cannes. To be clear, this is not Messi's yacht. His is still in build, with a layout customized to his family. What we filmed is the same model, which shows you the platform he chose.
Our YachtWay CEO and C-founder, Heigo Paartalu, tours some of the most impressive yachts in the world, from new launches at the major boat shows to builds most people only ever see in photos. That is what makes a Spotlight different from a brochure. You walk the yacht with someone who has been aboard the best the industry builds, knows what to compare it against, and points out the details a first-time visitor would miss.
It is the next best thing to stepping aboard yourself.
The tour starts where the ULTIMA 88 is most distinctive: the Ocean Lounge. Fold-down bulwarks and the aft platform open the stern into a private terrace at water level, built for swimming, water sports, and long afternoons at anchor. From there, we move through the main deck living spaces, the salon, and the guest accommodation.
Every Sunreef is tailored to its owner, so finishes and layouts vary from hull to hull. The Spotlight shows you the architecture, the proportions, and how the spaces connect.
Watch the Spotlight
Messi will wait for delivery. You do not have to wait to see the model he chose.
Watch the full ULTIMA 88 Spotlight on YachtWay:
You can also find the ULTIMA 88 and explore the entire Sunreef lineup on https://yachtway.com/brands/sunreef-yachts-for-sale/
