Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?

Born in Argentina, Lionel Messi is a professional athlete whose net worth stands at $850 million. Widely considered the greatest soccer player globally and among the greatest in history, Messi is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid athletes ever. He spent his formative years at Barcelona, where he played until 2021, netting 672 goals across 778 matches. On August 10, 2021, it was announced he would transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. Besides his club commitments, Messi also plays for the Argentina National Team, which won the World Cup on December 18, 2022.

Messi is very likely the world’s highest-paid soccer player and ranks among the top-paid athletes globally. His groundbreaking contract with Barcelona in 2017 provided him with an average base annual salary of $168 million. Additionally, he generates about $70 million annually through endorsements, leading to an approximate yearly income of $200 million under that contract. On June 7, 2023, Messi declared he would be joining David Beckham’s MLS franchise, Inter Miami, under a distinctive agreement that includes a revenue-sharing arrangement for Apple’s MLS season coverage and an ownership participation in the team. Further details will follow in this article, but in summary, Messi’s base salary at Inter Miami is set at $60 million, with a planned 10% ownership stake by the conclusion of his contract. This stake could potentially be valued at $200 million or more if the team’s worth is maintained post-retirement.

Despite claims you may have encountered elsewhere, Lionel Messi is NOT A BILLIONAIRE. By the end of his contract with Barcelona, inclusive of endorsements, Messi had amassed over $1.6 billion. As per our calculations, he has earned roughly $1.2 billion in salary so far, alongside $400 million from endorsements. Some outlets misinterpret the fact about his total earnings surpassing the $1 billion mark and incorrectly label him a “billionaire.”

Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts

During his peak at Barcelona, Lionel Messi was undoubtedly the highest-earning soccer player worldwide. In 2017, he agreed to a contract stipulating a base salary of $168 million. For several years, the specifics of his contract were closely guarded, but a leak by the Spanish newspaper “El Mundo” in January 2021 brought some details to light, revealing that a prior contract secured him an annual base salary of $44.68 million.

In August 2021, Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain, where his initial two-year contract amounts to $75 million per year before taxes, roughly translating to $40 million after taxes. His agreement also included provisions for bonuses tied to certain milestones and a share of jersey sales revenue.

In addition, Messi secures an estimated $70 million yearly from endorsement deals, including a lifetime contract with Adidas.

$1 Billion Saudi Contract

In May 2023, reports surfaced that Lionel Messi was close to finalizing a $1 billion deal with an undisclosed Saudi Pro League team. The agreement would…Reportedly, Lionel is set to earn a salary of $400 MILLION each season. If this is accurate, such an annual salary would almost have doubled Cristiano Ronaldo’s deal of 2.5 years for $535 million, which he accepted from Al Nassr, a Saudi Pro League team, in December 2022. Ultimately, Lionel declined this offer and chose to sign with Inter Miami, the MLS team co-owned by David Beckham.

Inter Miami

On June 7, 2023, news surfaced indicating that Messi planned to sign with the MLS franchise Inter Miami, which is co-owned by David Beckham. Allegedly, the arrangement would provide him with a salary of $1.03 million per week (totaling $54 million annually) over the span of four years. Interestingly, Messi’s contract with Miami will include additional income from a revenue share generated by Apple through its MLS Season Pass subscriptions. It was later disclosed that Lionel’s deal with Inter Miami actually pays him a salary of $60 million annually and grants him a 10% ownership stake in the team, which is valued at as much as $2 billion.

Adidas Endorsement

As one of the globe’s most renowned and recognizable athletes, Messi has had a sponsorship deal with Adidas since 2006 and stands as their primary brand endorser. At the age of 14, he was initially signed by Nike but later opted for Adidas. In 2008, Messi launched a long-running signature line of Adidas boots and was given his own sub-brand of boots called Adidas Messi.

Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal

A leaked contract from June 2023 revealed that in January 2021, Lionel entered into a three-year agreement potentially worth $25 million aimed at promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia. The contract stipulates the following requirements for Lionel:

• #1) He must take an annual vacation to Saudi Arabia, with the option to bring up to 20 friends. All expenses, including travel and five-star accommodations, will be covered, and the vacation must last at least five days.
• #2) He is required to make ten social media posts each year promoting Saudi Arabia using sanctioned hashtags.
• #3) He must take part in an annual tourism advertising campaign; last year, this involved appearing in a single promotional video for Visit Saudi.

For obligations #2 and #3, Lionel earns $2 million annually per requirement. Additionally, he can earn another $2 million per year for engaging in “charitable work.”

Summing it all up, Lionel stands to earn $25 million over three years for minimal effort. However, there is one stipulation: According to the contract reviewed by the Times, Lionel “cannot say anything that might ‘tarnish’ Saudi Arabia.”

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, held a part-time cleaning job. He shares a close bond with his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, as well as his sister, Maria Sol. The family often played soccer together along with their cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom also became professional footballers. At the tender age of six, Messi joined the Rosario soccer club and played for Newell’s Old Boys.

At the age of ten, Lionel was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, and his father’s financial situation made it impossible for him to continue medical treatment. While Newell’s initially agreed to help, they later rescinded their promise. Carles Rexach, the Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, offered to cover Messi’s medical expenses if he could relocate to Spain. With his father’s consent, Rexach wrote up a contract on a napkin, prompting the family to move to Barcelona in February 2001. They settled into an apartment close to Camp Nou, the club’s stadium. After his mother and siblings returned to Rosario, Messi experienced homesickness while staying in Barcelona with his father. A year later, Messi joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation, becoming part of the “Baby Dream Team,” recognized as Barcelona’s most talented group of young soccer players.

Career

At just 17, Lionel debuted in the league against RCD Espanyol, making him the third-youngest player to feature for FC Barcelona. During that period, he also became the youngest player to score for the club. The 2005-2006 season saw Messi receiving compensation as a first-team member and securing his Spanish citizenship. He made his first appearance in the Spanish First Division league, receiving a standing ovation after scoring alongside superstar Ronaldinho. Of his seventeen League matches, he netted six goals, and he managed one goal across six appearances in the Champions League. Later in 2006, Messi made history as the youngest Argentine to play and score in the FIFA World Cup.

In the subsequent 2006-2007 season, a broken metatarsal sidelined Messi for three months. He returned to action as a second-half substitute against Racing Santander. March of that season marked a significant achievement for him, as he scored a hat trick against Real Madrid, becoming the first player since Ivan Zamorano to accomplish that feat in El Clasico. During the 2007-2008 season, Messi guided Barcelona into La Liga’s top four and received a nomination as a forward for the FIFA ProWorld XI Player Award, with Marca newspaper recognizing him as the best player in the world. Other publications awaited Lionel to receive the Ballon d’Or. Ultimately, he claimed his first in 2009 at the age of 22 and followed it up with three consecutive victories. Additionally, he won an Olympic Gold Medal during the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2012, he shattered the La Liga and European records for the most goals scored in one season, solidifying his place as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. In the next two seasons, Messi, now the captain of the Barcelona team, finished as the runner-up for the Ballon d’Or behind his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2014, Messi led Argentina to the World Cup finals, earning the Golden Ball for his efforts. Although he announced his retirement in 2016, he retracted his decision and guided Argentina to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, also achieving a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa America. By 2019, Messi had secured a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or.

2022 World Cup

On December 18, Lionel, alongside his Argentina teammates, triumphed over France in the 2022 World Cup final. Excluding penalty kicks, Lionel contributed two goals during the match, which extended into extra time and culminated in a shootout.

Charity

The Leo Messi Foundation, founded by Messi, seeks to enhance educational and healthcare opportunities for underprivileged children. Following a transformative visit to a children’s hospital in Boston in 2007, he established the charity. With assistance from Herbalife, his foundation covers medical treatment costs, transportation, and recovery support for children facing serious health challenges. Since March 2010, Messi has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, undertaking a mission to Haiti to raise awareness about the struggles faced by children after the devastating earthquake.

Additionally, Messi engages in personal fundraising efforts, including global football matches and donation drives for various causes. He provides financial support to numerous youth football clubs in Argentina, such as Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Junior. In 2012, at Newell’s, his childhood club, he financed the establishment of a new gym and dormitory within the club’s stadium. His former coach is now employed by the Messi Foundation as a talent scout for emerging young athletes.

Personal Life

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, who is also from Rosario. Their friendship dates back to when they were both five years old, and they publicly acknowledged their romantic relationship in January 2009. The couple wed in Rosario in June 2007 and have three children: Thiago (born in 2012), Mateo (born in 2015), and Ciro (born in 2018). Lionel maintains a strong bond with his family, particularly his mother, whose portrait he has tattooed on his left shoulder. Messi’s professional dealings are primarily managed as a family business, with his father having acted as his agent since he was 14 years old, while his older brother Rodrigo manages his public relations.

Real Estate

In 2009, Messi invested $2 million in a residence located in the Pedrables area of Barcelona, subsequently spending millions on renovations and improvements. Today, the property is valued between $7 and $10 million.

In November 2019, Messi acquired a condo in Miami for $5 million, and in April 2021, he purchased the entire ninth floor of another building in Miami for $7.3 million.