Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Title: Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: February 2, 2025
What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?
With a net worth of $850 million, Lionel Messi, a professional athlete born in Argentina, is frequently regarded as the best soccer player in both contemporary and historical contexts. He is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid players of all time, if not THE highest. Messi represented Barcelona from his youth until 2021, scoring 672 goals across 778 appearances. It was revealed on August 10, 2021, that he would transition from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, he competes for the Argentina National Team, having celebrated a World Cup victory with them on December 18, 2022.
Messi stands out as one of the world’s highest-paid soccer players and among the top-paid athletes globally. His groundbreaking 2017 contract with Barcelona provided him with an average base annual salary of $168 million. Furthermore, he generates approximately $70 million annually from endorsements, leading to an estimated total income of around $200 million per year under that contract. On June 7, 2023, Lionel declared his joining of David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami, through an innovative agreement that includes revenue sharing from Apple’s MLS season coverage and an ownership stake in the club. More information about this contract will follow in this article; however, in summary, Messi’s base salary at Inter Miami is set at $60 million, and he will possess 10% of the team by the end of his contract. This 10% ownership could potentially be valued at $200 million or more if the club retains its worth post-retirement.
Contrary to claims from some inferior sources, it is important to note that Lionel Messi is NOT A BILLIONAIRE. When his tenure at Barcelona concluded, including endorsements, Messi had accumulated earnings exceeding $1.6 billion. According to our estimates, he has made approximately $1.2 billion in salary and around $400 million from endorsements thus far. Unfortunately, some reports misinterpreted the statistic regarding his overall earnings surpassing $1 billion, incorrectly labeling him as a “billionaire.”
Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts
During his prime years at Barcelona, Lionel Messi was undeniably the highest-paid soccer player worldwide. His 2017 contract stipulated a base salary of $168 million. For several years, the specifics of his contract remained tightly guarded; however, in January 2021, the Spanish publication “El Mundo” made the contract details public. Prior to this deal, his annual base salary was $44.68 million.
In August 2021, Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain. His initial contract is a two-year agreement worth $75 million annually before taxes, translating to about $40 million after taxes. Moreover, his contract included opportunities for bonuses based on performance milestones and a portion of jersey sales.
Messi also earns an additional $70 million per year through endorsements, including a lifetime deal with Adidas.
$1 Billion Saudi Contract
Reports surfaced in May 2023 about Lionel Messi nearing a $1 billion contract with a yet-to-be-named team in the Saudi Pro League. The agreement would …
It has been reported that Lionel could earn a salary of $400 MILLION each season. If accurate, such an annual figure would almost be double the 2.5-year, $535 million contract Cristiano Ronaldo signed in December 2022 with a Saudi Pro League club named Al Nassr. Ultimately, Lionel turned down this proposal, opting instead to sign with Inter Miami, an MLS team co-owned by David Beckham.
Inter Miami
On June 7, 2023, news surfaced that Messi was planning to join Inter Miami, the team co-owned by David Beckham in MLS. Reports suggest that the agreement would provide him with a salary of $1.03 million weekly ($54 million annually) over a four-year period. Interestingly, Messi’s contract with Miami will be enhanced by revenue sharing from Apple regarding subscriptions sold for its MLS Season Pass. Later information indicated that Lionel’s contract with Inter Miami includes a salary of $60 million per year and also grants him a 10% ownership stake in the franchise, which has been valued at up to $2 billion.
Adidas Endorsement
As one of the world’s most renowned and recognizable athletes, Messi has had an endorsement deal with Adidas since 2006, making him their top brand ambassador. Initially, he was signed by Nike at the age of 14 but transitioned to Adidas. In 2008, Messi established a long-running signature line of Adidas boots and was awarded his own sub-brand called Adidas Messi.
Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal
A contract that surfaced in June 2023 indicates that Lionel agreed to a three-year deal in January 2021 that could yield him $25 million for promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia. The obligations outlined in the contract require Lionel to do the following:
- #1) Vacation annually in Saudi Arabia, bringing up to 20 friends. All related expenses will be covered, including travel and luxury accommodations, with vacations lasting a minimum of five days.
- #2) Make ten annual social media posts endorsing Saudi Arabia with government-approved hashtags.
- #3) Be part of an annual tourism advertising campaign, which last year included a promotional video for Visit Saudi.
For each of the obligations in #2 and #3, he receives $2 million yearly. Additionally, he has the opportunity to earn another $2 million annually by engaging in “charitable work.”
When considering all these figures, Lionel stands to gain $25 million over three years for relatively minimal effort. However, one stipulation is crucial: the contract reviewed by the Times states that Lionel “cannot say anything that might ‘tarnish’ Saudi Arabia.”
Francois Nel/Getty Images
Early Life
On June 24, 1987, Lionel Messi entered the world in Rosario, Argentina. His father, Jorge Horacio Messi, worked as a steel factory laborer, while his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, held a part-time job as a cleaner. He shares a close bond with his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, along with his sister, Maria Sol. The family frequently played soccer together, often joined by their cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, who also pursued professional football careers. At just six years old, Messi became a member of a local soccer club, Newell’s Old Boys.
At the age of ten, Lionel was diagnosed with a deficiency in growth hormone, which his father could no longer afford to treat. Although Newell’s had initially agreed to assist with the medical expenses, they later retracted their offer. Carles Rexach, the Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, proposed to cover the medical bills if Messi could relocate to Spain. With his father’s consent, Rexach created a contract on a paper napkin, leading to the family’s move to Barcelona in February 2001. They settled in an apartment close to Camp Nou, the 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 was enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, joining the “Baby Dream Team,” a renowned assembly of young soccer talents from Barcelona.
Career
Lionel made his league debut at 17 against RCD Espanyol, becoming the third-youngest player in FC Barcelona’s history. He also held the record as the youngest player to score for the club at that time. In the 2005-2006 season, Messi began receiving a salary as a first-team player, in addition to obtaining his Spanish citizenship. His debut in the Spanish First Division league also occurred during this time. He earned a standing ovation during his first match after scoring alongside superstar Ronaldinho. Out of seventeen League appearances, he netted six goals, and scored one goal in six matches for the Champions League. In 2006, Messi was recognized as the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup.
In the 2006-2007 season, following the World Cup, Messi sustained a metatarsal injury which required three months for recovery. He made his return in a match against Racing Santander as a substitute. In March of that season, he became the first player since Ivan Zamorano to score a hat trick in El Clasico against Real Madrid. As for the 2007-2008 season, Messi led Barcelona to the top four in La Liga. He received a nomination as a forward for the FIFA Pro World XI Player Award, and Marca recognized him as the best player in the world. Other publications echoed this sentiment, advocating for Lionel to win the Ballon d’Or. In 2009, at age 22, he won his first Ballon d’Or, followed by three consecutive wins in subsequent years. Additionally, he secured an Olympic Gold Medal during the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2012, Messi set La Liga and European records for the most goals scored in a single season, solidifying his status as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. In the following two seasons, Messi, now the team captain, finished as the runner-up for the Ballon d’Or behind his career rival Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2014, he led Argentina to the World Cup finals, earning the Golden Ball. Though Messi announced his retirement in 2016, he reversed this decision and guided Argentina to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, also achieving a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa America. In 2019, Messi made history by winning a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or.
2022 World Cup
On December 18, Lionel and his teammates from Argentina triumphed over France in the final of the 2022 World Cup. Excluding penalty kicks, Lionel scored two goals during the match, which extended to overtime and concluded with a shootout.
Getty Images
Charity
The Leo Messi Foundation, established by Messi, is dedicated to providing better educational and health care opportunities for underprivileged children. This charitable initiative was launched in 2007 after Messi’s transformative visit to a Boston children’s hospital. With support from Herbalife, his foundation assists in covering medical treatment, transportation, and recovery expenses for children facing serious medical challenges. Since March 2010, Messi has also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, during which he undertook a field mission to Haiti to raise awareness about the struggles faced by the country’s children following the devastating earthquake.
In addition to his foundation’s efforts, Lionel engages in individual fundraising events such as global football matches to support various charities. He also provides financial assistance to several youth football clubs across Argentina, including Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Juniors. At Newell’s, Messi financed the construction of a new gym and dormitory within the club’s stadium in 2012. His former coach from the club is employed by the Messi Foundation as a talent scout for emerging players.
Messi made a significant contribution of $1 million in March 2020 to aid in combating the coronavirus outbreak. Furthermore, he and his Barcelona Football Club teammates agreed to a 70 percent reduction in their salaries during the COVID-19 crisis to ensure that no Barcelona staff members would experience pay cuts during this global emergency.
Personal Life
Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, who hails from Rosario as he does. Their acquaintance dates back to when they were five years old, and they went public with their romance in January 2009. They tied the knot in Rosario in June 2007. The couple is blessed with three children: Thiago (born 2012), Mateo (born 2015), and Ciro (born 2018). Lionel maintains a close bond with his immediate family, particularly with his mother, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional endeavors are largely managed as a family business, with his father acting as his agent since Messi was 14, while his older brother Rodrigo oversees his public relations.
Real Estate
In 2009, Messi acquired a residence in the Pedrables neighborhood of Barcelona for $2 million. Following this purchase, he undertook extensive renovations and upgrades, bringing the home’s current estimated value to between $7 and $10 million.
In November 2019, Lionel purchased a condominium in Miami for $5 million. Then, in April 2021, he acquired the entire ninth floor of a different building in Miami for $7.3 million.
Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)
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Data is from 2023 and 2024 and forecast data is for 2025 and 2026. We also expand the forecast data to 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 2, 2025