The Brazilian soccer legend is the latest to join the wave of international sports wealth flowing into South Florida real estate. And with the 2026 World Cup coming to Hard Rock Stadium, he will not be the last.
Key Takeaways
- Ronaldo paid $7.8 million for a duplex penthouse at Onda in Bay Harbor Islands, trading at $1,500 per square foot.
- The unit spans 5,000 square feet, with a 2,100-square-foot terrace and a private rooftop pool.
- He joins Messi, Busquets, and the Beckhams in a growing pattern of soccer wealth concentrating in South Florida.
Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo paid $7.8 million for a penthouse at Onda, a waterfront condo at 1135 103rd Street in Bay Harbor Islands. The purchase was made through a Delaware company managed by Ronaldo, per property records. The unit spans just over 5,000 square feet, includes a 2,100-square-foot terrace with a private rooftop pool, five bedrooms, and 5.5 bathrooms. It traded at $1,500 per square foot.
What makes this building different?
Onda is an eight-story, 41-unit waterfront condo completed in 2024 by a joint venture between Ugo Colombo's CMC Group and Valerio Morabito's Morabito Properties. Colombo is one of the most respected luxury developers in Miami, known for delivering Italian-level finishes, including custom cabinetry and stonework that attract global buyers who find larger Sunny Isles towers too ostentatious.
Ronaldo's duplex penthouse is one of the few units in the building with a fully private rooftop pool and terrace. In larger towers, those amenities are shared. The combination of boutique-scale, private outdoor space and a waterfront location at this price point is difficult to replicate on the barrier islands.
Bay Harbor Islands limits buildings to seven or eight stories, which prevents the shadow and density issues of taller corridors and creates a lower-scale, European-style residential environment. The island sits 0.6 miles from the Bal Harbor Shops.
As Larry Mastropieri noted on the Discover South Florida Podcast: "We've worked with wealthy international clients before, and this strategy is very common. They're looking to diversify beyond their home country and invest in U.S. assets. South Florida becomes the natural choice because of its accessibility, lifestyle, and global appeal."
Why is soccer money concentrating in South Florida?
Ronaldo's acquisition is part of a broader pattern of soccer-world wealth concentrating in South Florida. Lionel Messi and former teammate Sergio Busquets each purchased homes in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area after joining Inter Miami. Busquets later sold his Fort Lauderdale home to Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart for $9 million in January 2026.
Earlier this year, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham sold their penthouse at One Thousand Museum in downtown Miami for $25 million. We covered that sale and what it signals about the South Florida luxury market. The couple still owns a waterfront mansion on North Bay Road in Miami Beach.
Interested in luxury waterfront condos in South Florida? Talk to a Fort Lauderdale luxury realtor who understands how international buyer demand affects pricing in boutique buildings. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (954) 833-1468.
How does the 2026 World Cup factor in?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing seven matches to Hard Rock Stadium, including a quarterfinal. That concentration of global attention is driving demand for executive-level short-term and long-term luxury in North Miami and Bay Harbor specifically. We covered this trend in our World Cup 2026 and Broward luxury condo sales report.
Inter Miami's future stadium, Miami Freedom Park, is a $1 billion mixed-use project near Miami International Airport that also includes a planned relocation of Miami City Hall. Bay Harbor sits between that future stadium and the Fort Lauderdale training facilities, making it a practical base for international soccer ownership and staff.
What does this mean for South Florida buyers?
The fact that a unit of this caliber was still available and trading at $1,500 per square foot reflects both the boutique nature of the building and the continued demand for this specific product type in the market.
If you are evaluating boutique waterfront condos at this level, Onda competes with a handful of similar projects in North Miami, Surfside, and Bal Harbor. The key differentiators are private outdoor space, building scale, and proximity to Bal Harbor Shops.
For buyers looking at Broward County alternatives, we recently covered the Ritz-Carlton's new 83-unit luxury tower in Fort Lauderdale, which offers a different product at a similar price point.
FAQs about Ronaldo's Bay Harbor Islands purchase
How much did Ronaldo pay for his penthouse?
Ronaldo paid $7.8 million for a duplex penthouse at Onda in Bay Harbor Islands. That works out to approximately $1,500 per square foot for just over 5,000 square feet of interior space.
What building did Ronaldo buy in?
Onda is an eight-story, 41-unit waterfront condo at 1135 103rd Street in Bay Harbor Islands. It was completed in 2024 by CMC Group (Ugo Colombo) and Morabito Properties.
Does the penthouse have a private pool?
Yes. Ronaldo's unit includes a 2,100-square-foot terrace with a private rooftop pool. This is one of the few units in the building with fully private pool access.
Which other soccer players own property in South Florida?
Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets purchased homes in the Fort Lauderdale area after joining Inter Miami. David and Victoria Beckham own a waterfront mansion on North Bay Road in Miami Beach and recently sold their penthouse at One Thousand Museum for $25 million.
Why are soccer players buying in Bay Harbor Islands?
Bay Harbor Islands limits buildings to seven or eight stories, creating a lower-density, European-style environment. It sits 0.6 miles from Bal Harbor Shops and between Inter Miami's future stadium (Miami Freedom Park) and the Fort Lauderdale training facilities.
Local help for luxury buyers in South Florida
If you are buying, selling, or investing in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, or anywhere in South Florida, understanding how international buyer demand affects luxury inventory matters. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.
For practical, hands-on support across the region, call (954) 833-1468.
Posted by Larry Mastropieri
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