Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $850 million, Lionel Messi is a professional athlete born in Argentina. Frequently recognized as the best soccer player globally and one of the top players in the sport’s history, he is undoubtedly among the highest-paid athletes of all time. Messi played for Barcelona from his teenage years until 2021, during which he netted an impressive 672 goals across 778 matches. Following an announcement on August 10, 2021, he shifted from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, he represents the Argentina National Team and played a pivotal role in winning the World Cup on December 18, 2022.

Regarded as perhaps the highest-paid soccer player in the world and certainly among the top earners in athletics, his groundbreaking contract with Barcelona in 2017 provided an average base annual salary of $168 million. Moreover, endorsements contribute approximately $70 million annually, resulting in total earnings nearing $200 million per year under that contract. On June 7, 2023, Messi proclaimed his joining of David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami, in an exceptional agreement that incorporates a revenue-sharing model tied to Apple’s MLS season coverage and grants him a 10% ownership stake in the club. More specifics about this contract will be provided later; however, to summarize, Lionel’s base salary at Inter Miami stands at $60 million, with the potential of his 10% stake reaching a value of $200 million or more, assuming the team’s worth remains stable post-retirement.

Contrary to some lesser sources, Lionel Messi is NOT A BILLIONAIRE. Once his tenure with Barcelona concluded, including endorsements, he accumulated earnings exceeding $1.6 billion. Our estimates suggest he has received around $1.2 billion in salary and approximately $400 million from endorsements. Some media outlets misinterpreted the statistics about his total earnings surpassing $1 billion and inaccurately labeled him a “billionaire.”

Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts

During his peak with Barcelona, Lionel Messi was unquestionably the highest-paid soccer player globally. In 2017, he entered into a contract with Barcelona that established a base salary of $168 million. Although the figures of his contract were kept confidential for several years, January 2021 saw the Spanish publication “El Mundo” disclose the leaked contract particulars. Prior to this contract, his annual base salary had been $44.68 million.

In August 2021, Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain on an initial two-year contract valued at $75 million per year before taxes, resulting in roughly $40 million after taxes. His contract also provided opportunities for additional bonuses tied to achievements and a percentage of jersey sales.

Besides his contract earnings, Messi is compensated an additional $70 million annually through endorsements, which includes a lifetime endorsement agreement with Adidas.

$1 Billion Saudi Contract

Reportedly, in May 2023, Lionel Messi was close to finalizing a $1 billion contract with an undisclosed team from the Saudi Pro League. The deal would…

It has been reported that Lionel is offered a salary of $400 MILLION for each season. If this is accurate, that yearly salary would nearly surpass the $535 million deal Cristiano Ronaldo signed in December 2022 with a Saudi Pro League club named Al Nassr, which was for 2.5 years. Ultimately, Lionel turned down this proposal and opted instead to join David Beckham’s MLS franchise, Inter Miami.

Inter Miami

On June 7, 2023, reports surfaced that Messi was planning to join MLS’s Inter Miami, the American team co-owned by David Beckham. Supposedly, the contract would guarantee him a weekly salary of $1.03 million ($54 million annually) for a period of four years. Adding a unique element, Messi’s contract with Miami will include a revenue share from subscriptions sold by Apple for its MLS Season Pass. It was subsequently disclosed that Lionel’s deal with Inter Miami actually pays him $60 million per year and grants him a 10% ownership stake in the team, which has been appraised at as much as $2 billion.

Adidas Endorsement

As one of the world’s most renowned and recognizable athletes, Messi has been an Adidas sponsor since 2006, serving as their top brand ambassador. Initially signed by Nike at age 14, he transitioned to Adidas. By 2008, Messi had established a long-lasting signature collection of Adidas boots and launched his own sub-brand named Adidas Messi.

Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal

A leaked contract from June 2023 revealed that Lionel entered a three-year agreement in January 2021, potentially earning him $25 million to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. The terms of the contract require Lionel to fulfill the following obligations:

• #1) Take an annual trip to Saudi Arabia, with the option to bring up to 20 friends. All expenses, including travel and luxury accommodations, are covered, and the vacation must last at least five days.
• #2) Produce ten approved social media posts annually promoting Saudi Arabia using designated hashtags.
• #3) Participate in a yearly tourism advertising campaign. For instance, last year this involved appearing in a promotional video for Visit Saudi.

For fulfilling obligations #2 and #3 mentioned above, he receives $2 million for each obligation every year. Additionally, he can earn another $2 million annually for engaging in “charitable work.”

In total, over three years, Lionel stands to gain $25 million for minimal effort. However, there is one stipulation: According to the contract reviewed by the Times, Lionel “cannot make any statements 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 steelworker in a factory, while his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, was a part-time cleaner. He shares a close bond with his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and his sister, Maria Sol. The family frequently engaged in soccer games together with their cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, who also pursued professional football careers. At the tender age of six, Messi joined the Rosario soccer club, Newell’s Old Boys.

At the age of ten, Lionel received a diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency, and his father found it increasingly difficult to pay for his medical treatments. Although Newell’s initially pledged support, they later retracted their offer. Carles Rexach, the Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, proposed to cover the medical expenses if Messi agreed to relocate to Spain. With the consent of Lionel’s father, Rexach quickly penned a contract on a paper napkin, leading the family to Barcelona in February 2001. They settled into an apartment close to the Camp Nou stadium. Following his family’s return to Rosario, Messi experienced homesickness as he remained in Barcelona with his father. After a year passed, Messi joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation, becoming part of the renowned “Baby Dream Team” comprising Barcelona’s top young soccer talents.

Career

At just 17, Lionel made his league debut against RCD Espanyol, becoming the third-youngest player to represent FC Barcelona. Additionally, he earned the distinction of being the youngest player to score for the club. During the 2005-2006 season, Messi transitioned into a paid first-team member and obtained his Spanish citizenship, marking his debut in the Spanish First Division. A standing ovation welcomed him during his first match as he scored alongside superstar Ronaldinho. Out of seventeen league appearances, he netted six goals, while he scored once in six games during the Champions League. In 2006, Messi marked history as the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup.

In the 2006-2007 season following the World Cup, Messi faced a broken metatarsal injury, necessitating three months for recovery. He returned to the pitch against Racing Santander as a substitute. That March, he achieved a remarkable hat trick against Real Madrid, becoming the first player to do so in El Clasico since Ivan Zamorano. As the 2007-2008 season unfolded, Messi propelled Barcelona into the top four in La Liga. He also gained a nomination for the FIFA ProWorld XI Player Award as a forward, with Marca naming him the world’s best player. Other media outlets echoed this sentiment, advocating for Lionel to receive the Ballon d’Or. At age 22, he won his first in 2009 and subsequently claimed three more consecutively each year. He also earned an Olympic Gold Medal during the 2008 Summer Olympics. By 2012, Messi established both La Liga and European records for the most goals scored in a single season, cementing his status as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. In the subsequent two seasons, he served as the team captain but finished second for the Ballon d’Or behind his career rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi guided Argentina to the World Cup finals in 2014, winning the Golden Ball in the process. Although he announced his retirement in 2016, he reversed his decision and led Argentina to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They secured third place at the 2019 Copa America, and 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 during the match, which extended into overtime followed by a shootout.

Charity

The Leo Messi Foundation, established by Messi, is dedicated to providing better educational and health care opportunities for underprivileged children. Following a transformative visit to a children’s hospital in Boston, he launched the charity in 2007. In collaboration with Herbalife, his foundation covers medical treatments, transportation, and recovery for children facing serious health issues. Since March 2010, Messi has also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, during which he participated in a mission to Haiti to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Messi engages in personal fundraising efforts, including international football matches and supporting various charitable organizations. He provides financial backing to multiple youth football clubs in Argentina, such as Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Juniors. In 2012, he contributed to his childhood club, Newell’s, by funding the construction of a new gym and dormitory within the stadium. His former coach at Newell’s is currently employed by the Messi Foundation as a talent scout for emerging players.

In March 2020, Messi made a donation of $1 million to assist in combating the spread of the coronavirus. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 crisis, Lionel and his Barcelona Football Club teammates accepted a 70 percent salary reduction, ensuring that no Barcelona staff would experience wage cuts throughout the global crisis.

Personal Life

Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, a fellow native of Rosario, since 2008. They have known each other since the age of five and publicly confirmed their relationship in January 2009. The couple wed in Rosario in June 2017 and has three children: Thiago (born in 2012), Mateo (born in 2015), and Ciro (born in 2018). Lionel maintains a close bond with his immediate family, particularly his mother, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional enterprises are primarily managed as a family affair, with his father acting as his agent since Messi turned 14. His older brother Rodrigo is responsible for managing his publicity.

Real Estate

In 2009, Messi acquired a residence in the Pedrables area of Barcelona for $2 million. He subsequently invested millions into renovations and improvements, leading to an estimated current value of between $7 million and $10 million.

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