Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Title: Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: February 5, 2025
What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?
An Argentinian-born professional athlete, Lionel Messi boasts a net worth of $850 million. Frequently considered the best soccer player on the planet and one of the greatest in history, Messi is undoubtedly one of, if not THE, highest-paid athletes ever. He was with Barcelona from his teenage years until 2021, achieving an impressive 672 goals in 778 matches. On August 10, 2021, it was officially announced that Messi would transition from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, he represents the Argentina National Team, leading them to victory in the World Cup on December 18, 2022.
Messi is likely the highest-paid soccer player globally and unquestionably among the highest-paid sports figures overall. His monumental contract with Barcelona in 2017 provided him with an average base annual salary of $168 million. Furthermore, estimated earnings from endorsements amount to approximately $70 million per year, pushing his total annual income to around $200 million under that contract. On June 7, 2023, Messi announced his move to David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami, under a distinctive agreement that includes a revenue share from Apple’s MLS coverage subscriptions and an ownership equity in the club. More information regarding this contract can be found later in this article, but in summary, Messi’s base salary at Inter Miami is $60 million, and he is set to own 10% of the franchise by the end of his contract. This 10% stake could potentially reach a value of $200 million or more if the team retains its worth post-retirement.
Contrary to some lower-quality sources you may have encountered, Lionel Messi is NOT A BILLIONAIRE. By the conclusion of his contract with Barcelona, along with endorsements, Messi had accumulated over $1.6 billion. Based on our calculations, his career earnings thus far total around $1.2 billion in salary and $400 million through endorsements. Some media outlets misinterpreted reports regarding his overall earnings surpassing $1 billion, erroneously labeling him a “billionaire.”
Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts
During his prime at Barcelona, Lionel Messi was undoubtedly the world’s highest-paid soccer player. He entered a contract in 2017 with a base salary of $168 million. For several years, the details of his contract were closely guarded secrets, but in January 2021, the Spanish publication “El Mundo” leaked the specifics. Prior to this, his annual base salary was $44.68 million under an earlier agreement.
In August 2021, Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain, marking the beginning of a two-year contract worth $75 million per year before taxes, translating to roughly $40 million after taxes. This contract also allowed for additional bonuses based on performance milestones, as well as a share of jersey sales.
Messi secures an additional $70 million annually through endorsements, including a lifetime endorsement agreement with Adidas.
$1 Billion Saudi Contract
In May 2023, reports emerged indicating that Lionel Messi was on the brink of signing a $1 billion agreement with an unidentified Saudi Pro League team. The deal would
It has been reported that Lionel could receive a salary of $400 MILLION per season. If this is accurate, such an annual salary would nearly double the contract Cristiano Ronaldo signed in December 2022, which was worth $535 million over 2.5 years with the Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr. Ultimately, Lionel declined this offer and opted instead to join David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami.
Inter Miami
On June 7, 2023, reports emerged that Messi planned to join Inter Miami, the American franchise co-owned by David Beckham. The deal was said to include a salary of $1.03 million per week, amounting to $54 million per year over four years. Interestingly, Messi’s Miami contract also includes a revenue share from subscriptions sold by Apple for its MLS Season Pass. Ultimately, it was disclosed that Lionel’s contract with Inter Miami provides him with a salary of $60 million annually and grants him a 10% ownership stake in the team, which has been valued at up to $2 billion.
Adidas Endorsement
As one of the most recognized athletes globally, Messi has been an Adidas sponsor since 2006, serving as their chief brand endorser. Initially, he first signed with Nike at the age of 14 but later transitioned to Adidas. By 2008, Messi launched a long-running signature collection of Adidas boots and established his own sub-brand, Adidas Messi.
Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal
A contract that surfaced in June 2023 revealed that Lionel signed a three-year deal back in January 2021, potentially worth $25 million to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. The contract stipulates several requirements for Lionel, which include:
- #1) Annual vacations to Saudi Arabia, where he can invite up to 20 friends. All expenses, including travel and five-star accommodations, will be paid for, with the vacation required to last at least five days.
- #2) He must create ten social media posts each year promoting Saudi Arabia using approved hashtags.
- #3) He is required to take part in an annual tourism advertising campaign, which last year included a promotional video for Visit Saudi.
For each of the obligations outlined in #2 and #3, he earns $2 million per year. Additionally, he can receive another $2 million annually for participating in “charitable work.”
All totaled, Lionel has the potential to earn $25 million over three years for relatively minimal effort. However, one important condition exists: the contract stipulates that Lionel “cannot say anything that might ‘tarnish’ Saudi Arabia.”
Francois Nel/Getty Images
Early Life
Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. His father, Jorge Horacio Messi, worked as a factory steelworker, while his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, was a part-time cleaner. He shares a close relationship with his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, as well as his sister, Maria Sol, and the family often played soccer together along with their cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom also became professional footballers. At the young age of six, Messi joined the Rosario soccer club and played for Newell’s Old Boys.
At the age of ten, Lionel received a diagnosis of a growth hormone deficiency, and his father found himself unable to afford the necessary medical care. Newell’s initially agreed to assist but later retracted their commitment. The Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, Carles Rexach, proposed covering Messi’s medical expenses if he relocated to Spain. With the approval of Lionel’s father, Rexach drafted a contract on a paper napkin, leading the family to Barcelona in February 2001. They settled into an apartment close to Camp Nou, the home stadium of the club. After his mother and siblings returned to Rosario, Messi experienced homesickness while remaining in Barcelona with his father. A year later, he joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation and became part of the acclaimed “Baby Dream Team,” regarded as Barcelona’s finest group of young soccer talent.
Career
At just 17, Lionel made his league debut against RCD Espanyol, becoming the third-youngest player ever to represent FC Barcelona. He also achieved the distinction of being the youngest player to score for Barcelona during that time. In the 2005-2006 season, Messi began earning a salary as a first-team member and acquired his Spanish citizenship. Additionally, he debuted in the Spanish First Division league. During his first match, after scoring alongside superstar Ronaldinho, Messi was met with a standing ovation. Among his seventeen league appearances, he netted six goals while scoring once in six Champions League matches. In 2006, Messi made history as the youngest Argentine to play and score in the FIFA World Cup.
Following the World Cup, during the 2006-2007 season, Messi sustained an injury from a broken metatarsal, requiring three months for recovery. He returned to play against Racing Santander as a substitute. In March of that season, he achieved a hat trick against Real Madrid, becoming the first player since Ivan Zamorano to accomplish such a feat in El Clasico. By the 2007-2008 season, Messi propelled Barcelona into the top four of La Liga. He received a nomination for a FIFA Pro World XI Player Award as a forward and was recognized as the best player in the world by Marca newspaper. Other publications echoed the sentiment, suggesting Lionel should be granted the Ballon d’Or. Eventually, he secured his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 at the age of 22, followed by three consecutive wins in the subsequent years. He was also awarded an Olympic Gold Medal during the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2012, he established records for the most goals scored in a single La Liga and European season, cementing his legacy as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. In the following two seasons, Messi, who had now taken on the role of team captain for Barcelona, placed second for the Ballon d’Or behind his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2014, he guided Argentina to the World Cup finals, earning the Golden Ball award for his performance. Despite announcing his retirement in 2016, Lionel reversed his decision and led Argentina to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, finishing third in the 2019 Copa America. In 2019, Messi achieved a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or.
2022 World Cup
On December 18, Lionel and his Argentina teammates triumphed over France in the 2022 World Cup final. Excluding penalty kicks, Lionel scored two goals in the match, which extended into extra time and concluded with a shootout.
Getty Images
Charity
The Leo Messi Foundation, established by Messi, aims to provide better educational and health care opportunities for underprivileged children. He initiated this charity in 2007 after a transformative visit to a children’s hospital in Boston. With the support of Herbalife, his foundation covers medical treatments, transportation, and recovery for children facing significant health challenges. Additionally, Messi has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since March 2010 and participated in a field mission to Haiti to raise awareness about the struggles faced by children in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Beyond his foundation, Lionel engages in personal fundraising endeavors, such as global football matches, to support various charities. He also offers financial aid to several youth football clubs in Argentina, like Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Juniors. At Newell’s, where he grew up, he financed the building of a new gym and dormitory within the club’s stadium in 2012. His previous coach is currently employed by the Messi Foundation as a talent scout for budding players.
In March 2020, Messi generously donated $1 million to combat the spread of coronavirus. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 crisis, Lionel and his Barcelona teammates agreed to a 70 percent salary reduction to ensure that no Barcelona employees would have their salaries impacted during this global crisis.
Personal Life
Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, who shares his Rosario roots. Their friendship began when they were just five years old, and they publicly acknowledged their relationship in January 2009. They wed in Rosario in June 2007, and together, they have three children: Thiago (b. 2012), Mateo (b. 2015), and Ciro (b. 2018). Lionel maintains a close bond with his family, particularly his mother, whose face is tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional career is largely managed as a family operation, with his father acting as his agent since Messi turned 14, while his older brother Rodrigo oversees his public relations.
Real Estate
In 2009, Messi acquired a home in the Pedrables neighborhood of Barcelona for $2 million, subsequently investing millions into renovations and improvements. Today, the property’s value is estimated to be between $7 – $10 million.
In November 2019, he purchased a condominium in Miami for $5 million. Later, in April 2021, he spent $7.3 million on the entirety of the ninth floor in a separate building located in Miami.
Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)
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Data is gathered from 2023 and 2024, with predictions extending into 2025 and 2026. The forecast data is also projected for 2027 and 2028.
* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:
Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.
Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.
Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.
Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.
Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.
Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.
Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.
Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Post Title: Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: February 5, 2025