Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?

Argentinian-born professional athlete Lionel Messi boasts a net worth of $850 million. He is frequently considered the best soccer player globally and among the greatest in history. Without a doubt, he ranks as one of the highest-paid players ever. Messi dedicated his career to Barcelona from his teenage years until 2021, scoring 672 goals in 778 appearances. On August 10, 2021, it was announced that he would transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, Messi represents the Argentina National Team, with whom he claimed the World Cup on December 18, 2022.

Messi is presumably the highest-earning soccer player worldwide and certainly ranks among the top-paid athletes overall. His groundbreaking 2017 contract with Barcelona provided him an average annual base salary of $168 million. Furthermore, he generates approximately $70 million annually from endorsements, bringing his annual earnings under that contract to around $200 million. On June 7, 2023, Messi revealed that he was joining David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami, under an innovative agreement that includes a revenue share from Apple’s MLS season coverage and an ownership stake in the franchise. More details about this contract will follow later in this article, but to summarize, Messi’s base salary at Inter Miami is $60 million, and at the completion of his contract, he will own 10% of the team. That stake could potentially be valued at $200 million or more if the team’s value is maintained post-retirement.

Contrary to some lesser-quality sources, Lionel Messi is NOT A BILLIONAIRE. By the end of his contract with Barcelona, along with endorsements, he had surpassed $1.6 billion in earnings. As per our calculations, he has received roughly $1.2 billion in salary to date and $400 million from endorsements. Some outlets misinterpreted his overall earnings exceeding $1 billion and inaccurately labeled him as a “billionaire.”

Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts

At the pinnacle of his career with Barcelona, Lionel Messi was undoubtedly the highest-paid soccer player worldwide. In 2017, he entered into a contract with the club that stipulated a base salary of $168 million. The details of his contract were closely held for years; however, in January 2021, Spanish newspaper “El Mundo” leaked the contract specifics. His previous contract included an annual base salary of $44.68 million.

In August 2021, Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain, where his initial two-year contract equates to $75 million per year before taxes, approximately $40 million after taxes. This contract also included opportunities for additional bonuses based on performance milestones and a share of jersey sales.

Messi enjoys an extra $70 million annually from endorsements, highlighted by a lifetime endorsement agreement with Adidas.

$1 Billion Saudi Contract

Reports surfaced in May 2023 indicating that Lionel Messi was close to signing a $1 billion contract with a yet-to-be-named Saudi Pro League team. The agreement would…

Lionel is reportedly set to receive a salary of $400 MILLION per season. If this claim holds true, it would nearly double Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2.5-year, $535 million contract that he signed in December 2022 with the Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr. Ultimately, Lionel chose to turn down this generous offer and signed with David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami.

Inter Miami

On June 7, 2023, reports emerged indicating that Messi was planning to join Inter Miami, the MLS franchise co-owned by David Beckham. Supposedly, the arrangement would provide him with a salary of $1.03 million per week (amounting to $54 million per year) over a four-year period. Interestingly, Messi’s contract with Miami will include a revenue share from subscriptions sold by Apple for its MLS Season Pass. It was later disclosed that Lionel’s deal with Inter Miami actually pays him $60 million annually and grants him a 10% ownership stake in the club, which has been appraised at up to $2 billion.

Adidas Endorsement

As one of the world’s most prominent and recognizable athletes, Messi has been an Adidas ambassador since 2006, making him their top brand endorser. Initially, he was signed by Nike at the age of 14 but made the switch to Adidas. By 2008, Messi had launched a long-running signature collection of Adidas boots and developed his own sub-brand called Adidas Messi.

Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal

According to a contract leaked in June 2023, back in January 2021, Lionel signed a three-year deal capable of earning him $25 million to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. The agreement stipulates the following requirements for Lionel:

• #1) He must take an annual vacation to Saudi Arabia, allowing up to 20 friends to accompany him. All expenses will be covered, including travel and luxury accommodations. This vacation must span at least five days.
• #2) He needs to make ten social media posts each year promoting Saudi Arabia, employing pre-approved hashtags.
• #3) He is obliged to take part in an annual tourism advertising campaign, which last year entailed a single promotional video for Visit Saudi.

For fulfilling #2 and #3, he receives $2 million for each annual obligation. Additionally, he can earn another $2 million per year for engaging in “charitable work.”

Add it all up, and over three years, Lionel stands to earn $25 million for relatively minimal effort. However, one stipulation remains: per the contract reviewed by the Times, Lionel “cannot make statements that could ‘tarnish’ Saudi Arabia.”

Early Life

Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi came into the world as the son of Jorge Horacio Messi, a factory steelworker, and Celia Maria Cuccittini, who worked as a part-time cleaner. He shares a close bond with his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and his sister, Maria Sol. The family often engaged in soccer games together, joined by their cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom also pursued careers as professional footballers. At just six years old, Messi joined the Rosario soccer club, playing for Newell’s Old Boys.

At the age of ten, Lionel faced a growth hormone deficiency diagnosis, and his father could no longer afford the necessary medical treatment. Although Newell’s agreed to help with the expenses, they later retracted their offer. Carles Rexach, the Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, proposed to take care of Messi’s medical bills if the family relocated to Spain. After receiving approval from Lionel’s father, Rexach quickly drafted a contract on a napkin, leading the family to move to Barcelona in February 2001. They settled in an apartment close to Camp Nou, the club’s stadium. Following the departure of his mother and siblings back to Rosario, Messi experienced homesickness while remaining with his father in Barcelona. A year later, Messi joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation, becoming part of what was dubbed the “Baby Dream Team,” a remarkable group of young soccer talents from Barcelona.

Career

At just 17 years old, Lionel made his debut in the league against RCD Espanyol, marking him as the third-youngest player ever to compete for FC Barcelona. He also became the youngest player to score for the team at that moment. During the 2005-2006 season, Messi began to receive a salary as a first-team member and gained his Spanish citizenship, leading to his first appearance in the Spanish First Division league. A standing ovation greeted him during his inaugural match after scoring alongside the legendary Ronaldinho. Out of his seventeen League matches, he netted six goals and contributed one goal in six appearances for the Champions League. In 2006, he made history as the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup.

Following the World Cup, Messi suffered a broken metatarsal in the 2006-2007 season, sidelining him for three months. He returned to action as a substitute in a game against Racing Santander. That season, he distinguished himself by scoring a hat trick against Real Madrid, becoming the first player since Ivan Zamorano to achieve this feat in an El Clasico. In the 2007-2008 season, under Messi’s influence, Barcelona climbed into La Liga’s top four. He garnered a nomination as a forward for the FIFA Pro World XI Player Award, while Marca named him the best player globally. Other publications echoed this sentiment, advocating for Messi to win the Ballon d’Or. At 22, he claimed his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 and subsequently won three more consecutively each year. In addition, he earned an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. By 2012, he shattered both La Liga and European records for the most goals scored in a single season, solidifying his status as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer. In the following two seasons as team captain, Messi finished as the Ballon d’Or runner-up behind his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2014, he guided Argentina to the World Cup finals, earning the Golden Ball for his efforts. Although Messi announced his retirement in 2016, he reversed this decision and helped Argentina qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, also securing a third-place finish in the 2019 Copa America. In 2019, Messi achieved an unprecedented sixth Ballon d’Or.

2022 World Cup

On December 18, Lionel and his Argentina teammates triumphed over France in the final of the 2022 World Cup. In a match that extended to overtime and eventually a shootout, Lionel scored two goals, excluding the penalty kicks.

Charity

The Leo Messi Foundation, founded by Messi, is dedicated to improving education and health care opportunities for underprivileged children. Inspired by a visit to a Boston children’s hospital in 2007, which he described as transformative, Messi established the charity. With support from Herbalife, the foundation aids in financing medical treatment, transportation, and recovery for children suffering from serious health issues. Since March 2010, Messi has also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, participating in a mission to Haiti to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the country’s children post-earthquake.

In addition to his foundation’s efforts, Lionel engages in individual fundraising events like global football matches to support various charitable organizations. He provides financial backing to numerous youth football clubs across Argentina, including Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Junior. As part of his commitment to Newell’s, the club where he began his career, Messi financed the construction of a new gym and dormitory within the stadium in 2012. His former coach at the club now works for the Messi Foundation as a talent scout for emerging players.

Personal Life

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, who hails from the same Rosario neighborhood. Their friendship dates back to when they were five years old, and they publicly acknowledged their romance in January 2009. The couple exchanged vows in Rosario in June 2007 and are parents to three children: Thiago (born 2012), Mateo (born 2015), and Ciro (born 2018). Messi maintains a strong bond with his immediate family, particularly his mother, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional dealings are largely treated as a family affair, with his father acting as his agent since Messi turned 14, while his older brother Rodrigo manages his public relations.

Real Estate

In 2009, Messi invested $2 million in a property located in the Barcelona area of Pedrables, after which he completed extensive renovations and upgrades. The current estimated value of the home ranges from $7 to $10 million.

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