After a month of inspired World Cup play in Russia, 32 teams have been narrowed down to eight, with the quarterfinals set for Friday and Saturday. Nearly all of the 736 players who began three weeks ago will go home empty-handed, having failed to win the title for their country.
But where will they go? The soccer stars from around the world may want to return to their home countries, or perhaps they may want some time away in their second or third homes.
A handful of the World Cup players from Colombia, France and Brazil have owned homes in Miami, taking up residence in different places, including Related Group’s SLS Brickell, the 55-story condominium tower in the financial district.
Another player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Swedish striker, owns an apartment in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. Ibrahimovic backed out of playing for his home country just before the start of the World Cup.
Here’s a look at the players and their homes in the U.S., compiled by The Real Deal’s analysis of property records. TRD looked for residential properties owned by the 2018 World Cup players in Miami-Dade County and New York City, searching only for homes owned in the players’ names.
Steven N’zonzi, SLS Brickell in Miami
Steven N’zonzi, a midfielder playing for the French national team, paid $963,000 for unit 3505 at SLS Brickell last year. Related and Allen Morris Company completed the development in 2016. Nzonzi, who plays for Sevilla Fútbol Club, won on Saturday against Argentina.
The French team advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will play Uruguay on Friday.
At his luxury Brickell condo, Nzonzi has access to amenities that include two restaurants led by high-profile chefs. Jose Andres leads Bazaar Mar and Michael Schwartz helms Fi’lia. The complex also includes the Ciel spa and a fitness center along with a pool deck on the 10th floor with three pools. It has an outdoor dining and private cabanas, a private screening room and a sky roof.
Abel Aguilar, Oceanfront Plaza in Miami Beach
Colombian midfielder Abel Aguilar owns two condos at the Oceanfront Plaza in Miami Beach.
Aguilar paid $1.2 million for units 906 and 907 at the building in 2014, according to property records. He plays for Deportivo Cali, a Colombian sports club based in Cali.
Aguilar’s Columbia national team was eliminated on Tuesday, when it lost to England in a shootout on penalty kicks in the round of 16.
Marcelo Vieira da Silva, Palmetto Bay home
Marcelo Vieira da Silva of Brazil owned a five-bedroom home in Palmetto Bay between 2011 and 2012.
The left back and left winger paid $710,000 for the house at 14201 Southwest 82nd Court in 2011, and sold it the following year for $775,000, records show. The 4,200-square-foot home sits on a 15,900-square-foot corner lot in Palmetto Bay, and was built in 2006.
Brazil, which beat Mexico earlier this week, will face Belgium on Friday in the quarterfinals.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 101 Leonard Street in Manhattan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic made headlines when he backed out of playing for the Swedish national team in this year’s World Cup, just before the start of the tournament last month.
Ibrahimovic owns an apartment at The Leonard, on 101 Leonard Street in Tribeca, property records show. He paid $2.2 million for a unit in 2015, and transferred the title to an LLC in 2016, according to property records.
The former Manchester United and Barcelona forward said he had retired from international soccer, but still plays for the LA Galaxy in Los Angeles.