When Lionel Messi landed in India for the GOAT India Tour 2025, fans across the country went frenzy. People gathered in huge numbers, and cameras followed his every move.
But then there was something else that had caught everyone’s attention. The aircraft that brought him here became a talking point of its own.
Messi arrived aboard his private jet, a Gulfstream GV. The long-range business jet highlights the lifestyle of someone who is constantly moving across continents.
The Argentine footballer bought the aircraft in 2018 for around $15 million (approximately Rs 136 crore), according to Spanish newspaper Marca. Built in 2004 and registered in Argentina as LV IRQ, the jet was customised to suit Messi’s personal and professional life. This is not Messi’s first private aircraft as he previously owned an Embraer Legacy 650.
What truly sets this jet apart are the personal touches. The number 10, the jersey that defined an era of football, is displayed on the tail of the aircraft. The boarding steps carry engraved names of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Inside, the Gulfstream GV focuses on comfort without excess. The cabin includes a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and seating for Messi, his family and close associates. Several seats can be converted into beds to allow proper rest during long international journeys that often stretch across time zones.
Aviation experts often note that such interiors are designed to support recovery and mental focus. For an athlete like Messi, who moves between club duties, international matches and public appearances, rest during travel becomes as important as training sessions on the pitch.
From a technical standpoint, the jet is equally impressive. It can fly at altitudes of up to 51,000 feet and stays above most commercial air traffic. This allows nonstop travel between major global cities like New York and Tokyo or London and Singapore.
The Gulfstream GV is powered by twin Rolls Royce BR700 engines and features an advanced wing design that allows it to carry more fuel and travel longer distances efficiently. These capabilities are what made it a preferred choice for global business leaders and high-profile figures long before it became Messi’s aircraft.
Introduced in the late 1990s, the Gulfstream GV marked a major step forward in long range private aviation. Nearly 200 units were produced before it evolved into the G550 and it continues to be remembered as a benchmark for performance and reliability.