Lionel Messi stands as one of the most exceptional football players in history. Over the course of more than 15 years, the Argentine forward has asserted his dominance in the sport, setting numerous records and securing numerous trophies with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Argentine national team.
His exceptional skills and widespread global appeal have enabled Messi to build a substantial net worth through his earnings from salaries, endorsem*nts, investments, and business ventures. According to Forbes, he held the position of the second-highest-paid athlete globally, with an impressive income of $130 million.
Let’s delve into a comprehensive examination of how Messi has amassed his wealth, both on the field and beyond.
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Lionel Messi Net Worth: $600 Million
The primary source of Lionel Messi’s wealth stems from his football player salaries and bonuses. During his peak years at Barcelona, he held the title of the world’s highest-paid footballer, with an annual salary peaking at $180 million in the last five years.
A substantial portion of Messi’s career earnings, approximately $400 million, is attributed to endorsem*nts. Nearly two decades ago, he inked a lifetime sponsorship deal with Adidas. Currently, his annual salary with Inter Miami amounts to $12 million.
Beyond his playing contracts and endorsem*nts, Messi has raked in tens of millions through various investments and business ventures, such as his retail stores and clothing line.
In the grand scheme of things, Messi stands among the wealthiest active team sport athletes globally, trailing only NFL quarterback Tom Brady (worth $333 million) and NBA legends LeBron James ($1 billion) and Michael Jordan ($2.1 billion).
Let’s now delve into a more detailed exploration of the origins of Messi’s substantial career earnings.
Football Salaries: $700+ Million
The predominant portion of Lionel Messi’s overall wealth can be attributed to the earnings he garnered from football club salaries and bonuses. As per figures disclosed by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Messi accumulated over €1 billion ($1.15 billion) during his 17 seasons with Barcelona. This encompasses:
$672 million in cumulative salary payments
$385 million in bonuses and benefits
Messi’s initiation into professional football with Barcelona at the age of 13 in 2000 involved a $1,500 per month salary. In 2017, a momentous Barcelona contract was inked, making Messi the recipient of an annual base salary of $168 million, marking it as the most lucrative deal in the history of football. This four-year contract translated to a total worth surpassing $670 million in salary and bonuses.
Following his departure from Barcelona in 2021, Messi entered a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, amounting to a $75 million annual base salary. In 2023, he joined David Beckham’s MLS club, Inter Miami, committing to a 3.5-year deal valued at up to $150 million.
Cumulatively, throughout his entire playing career, Lionel Messi has amassed well over $700 million in combined salaries and bonuses from Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami. Remarkably, at the age of just 36, his career earnings are poised to continue ascending in the years ahead.
Endorsem*nts: $400+ Million
In addition to his substantial football earnings, Lionel Messi secures an annual income exceeding $40 million through endorsem*nt agreements with prominent brands.
In 2006, Messi inked a lifelong sponsorship deal with the sportswear giant Adidas. Serving as Adidas’ primary brand endorser, he represents the face of their flagship product, the Adidas Messi football boots. While the precise details of this enduring contract remain undisclosed, it is presumed to be valued at several hundred million dollars.
The renowned striker has been affiliated with Pepsi since 2010 and Gillette since 2007. His endorsem*nts extend to include partnerships with Turkish Airlines, Ooredoo, Gatorade, Konami, Mastercard, Lay’s Chips, Socios.com, and various others throughout the years.
Forbes approximated Messi’s sponsorship earnings at $65 million in 2022. It is likely that his cumulative endorsem*nt income has exceeded $400 million over the course of his illustrious career.
As Messi embarks on the final phase of his playing career with Inter Miami, his allure to brands remains remarkably high. He retains the position as the world’s second-most famous athlete, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo.
Businesses and Investments
Beyond his football earnings and sponsorships, Lionel Messi has accumulated substantial wealth, amounting to tens of millions, through his various business ventures and investments:
Real Estate
Messi possesses a portfolio of luxury properties valued at over $20 million worldwide, featuring apartments in Barcelona, a villa in Mallorca, an apartment in Miami, and residences in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Recently, he acquired an entire apartment complex near Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium, valued at over $30 million.
The Messi Store
Initiating his entrepreneurial journey, Messi established his inaugural retail establishment, The Messi Store, situated in Beijing, China, with plans for additional locations in China and beyond. The store specializes in selling Messi-branded sportswear and merchandise. Notably, Messi also introduced his clothing line through the store amid the pandemic.
Crypto and NFT Investments
Venturing into the realm of digital assets, Messi entered into an endorsem*nt agreement with Socios.com to release exclusive NFTs and fan tokens. His inaugural NFT drop on Socios fetched over $1.1 million. Additionally, Messi has invested in other crypto ventures, including the blockchain platform Dego Finance and NFT marketplace Ethernity.
MiM Hotels
Several years ago, Messi made an investment in MiM Hotels, a venture that aims to construct lifestyle hotels worldwide, catering to young travelers. These hotels are strategically planned near Messi’s club teams, such as Barcelona, Paris, and Miami.
Given Messi’s global acclaim, his business endeavors have significant potential for continued expansion of his wealth, particularly as he transitions from professional football in the years to come.
Charity Work
Throughout his professional journey, Lionel Messi has consistently devoted time to charitable endeavors, particularly aimed at assisting children in need globally:
Over 15 years ago, Messi established his own charitable organization, the Leo Messi Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to providing education and healthcare for vulnerable youth in Argentina, Spain, and various other locations.
Serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Messi actively advocates for children’s rights on a global scale.
In 2020, during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Messi generously donated €1 million to hospitals in Barcelona and Argentina for relief efforts.
Demonstrating his commitment to philanthropy, Messi requested that guests at his June 2017 wedding contribute to his foundation instead of presenting traditional gifts. The donations amassed a noteworthy sum of over $480,000.
To date, Messi’s foundation has contributed over $10 million to support diverse projects encompassing medical research, scholarships, sports training programs, and more.
Beyond financial contributions, Messi has personally invested his time and resources in causes supporting hospital patients, individuals with disabilities, homeless youth, and underfunded children’s soccer clubs.
Lionel Messi’s impact in the realm of charity off the field is commendable and mirrors the excellence he displays on the football pitch. Despite his global stature, he maintains a relatively low-key lifestyle centered around his dedication to football and family.
Personal Life and Other Details
- Born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. Has two older brothers, a sister and close cousins who he grew up playing football with.
- Moved to Barcelona, Spain at age 13 to join FC Barcelona’s youth academy after the club offered to pay his medical bills for a growth hormone deficiency. Became a Spanish citizen in 2005.
- Has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo since 2008. They have three sons together: Thiago (2012), Mateo (2015) and Ciro (2018).
- Remains close to his hometown of Rosario. He has a tattoo of his mother Celia’s face on his left shoulder.
- Enjoys time off playing with his kids, watching films and TV shows like Game of Thrones and La Casa de Papel, playing the guitar, and dining out with Antonella.
- Has over 600 million total social followers – 116 million on Facebook and 489 million on Instagram. Ranks second globally behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
- His discipline, quiet leadership style and humble personality have earned immense respect from teammates, coaches and opponents alike.
Outlook and Future Potential
Currently navigating the later stages of his remarkable playing career at the age of 36, Lionel Messi exhibits no indications of deceleration. His determination to sustain peak performance in MLS with Inter Miami while concurrently elevating the global reach of his brand remains unwavering.
With a lucrative Inter Miami contract amounting to up to $150 million spanning 3.5 years, Messi is assuredly set to exceed $800 million in cumulative football earnings by 2026. Anticipated gains from endorsem*nts and business ventures are poised to contribute an additional $100 million or more by that time.
Barring an unforeseen career-ending catastrophe, Lionel Messi seems to be embarking on an unstoppable trajectory towards achieving billionaire athlete status within the next decade. His unparalleled accumulation of wealth stems from a unique blend of generational talent, unyielding work ethic, sustained excellence, and an amiable personality. This financial standing serves as a testament to attaining greatness in the world’s most beloved sport. While acknowledging the possibility, the only player we foresee potentially surpassing Messi’s achievements in the near future is Mbappé – a prospect that we eagerly await unfolding.
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