Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $850 million, Lionel Messi, a professional athlete from Argentina, is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Often referred to as the best player globally, Messi is undoubtedly among, if not THE, highest-paid athletes in history. He played for Barcelona from his teenage years until 2021, where he scored 672 goals in 778 matches. On August 10, 2021, it was confirmed that he would transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, he represents the Argentina National Team and helped them win the World Cup on December 18, 2022.

Messi is likely the highest-earning soccer player in the world and certainly ranks among the top-paid athletes across all sports. His groundbreaking 2017 contract with Barcelona provided him with an average annual salary of $168 million. Adding around $70 million yearly from endorsements meant he was reportedly making close to $200 million annually. On June 7, 2023, Messi announced his move to David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami, under a distinctive agreement that involves a revenue share from Apple’s coverage of the MLS season and a stake in the team. More information regarding this contract will follow, but in summary, Messi’s base salary at Inter Miami is $60 million, and he will obtain a 10% ownership of the team upon contract completion. This 10% stake might be valued at $200 million or more if the team’s value remains steady after his retirement.

Contrary to claims found in some lower-quality articles, Lionel Messi is NOT A BILLIONAIRE. By the conclusion of his contract with Barcelona, accounting for endorsements, Messi had earned over $1.6 billion. From our calculations, his salary income stands at about $1.2 billion, with endorsement earnings at around $400 million. Some sources have incorrectly interpreted his total earnings surpassing $1 billion and erroneously branded him a “billionaire.”

Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts

During his peak at Barcelona, Lionel Messi was unquestionably the highest-paid soccer player worldwide. In 2017, he secured a contract with Barcelona that featured a base salary of $168 million. For several years, the specifics of his contract were kept confidential, but in January 2021, the Spanish newspaper “El Mundo” exposed the leaked contract information. Previously, his annual base salary was $44.68 million under an earlier agreement.

Upon signing with Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021, Messi’s initial contract stipulated a two-year agreement, providing $75 million per year before taxes, which equates to approximately $40 million after taxes. This contract also offered opportunities for earning extra bonuses based on performance milestones and a share of jersey sales.

In addition to his salary, Messi collects around $70 million annually from endorsements, including a lifetime endorsement arrangement with Adidas.

$1 Billion Saudi Contract

In May 2023, there were reports of Lionel Messi nearing a $1 billion contract with a Saudi Pro League team that remains unnamed. The agreement would…

Lionel is reportedly set to earn a salary of $400 MILLION each season. If this is confirmed, it would nearly double the 2.5-year, $535 million contract Cristiano Ronaldo accepted in December 2022 from Al Nassr, a Saudi Pro League team. Ultimately, Lionel declined this offer and opted to sign with Inter Miami, an MLS team co-owned by David Beckham.

Inter Miami

On June 7, 2023, news broke that Messi planned to join Inter Miami from MLS, the team co-owned by David Beckham. Allegedly, the contract would earn him $1.03 million per week ($54 million annually) over a span of four years. Interestingly, Messi’s contract with Miami will also include revenue sharing from Apple’s sales of the MLS Season Pass subscriptions. It was later disclosed that Lionel’s contract with Inter Miami provides him a salary of $60 million per year along with a 10% ownership in the team, which has been appraised at up to $2 billion.

Adidas Endorsement

As one of the most renowned and recognizable athletes globally, Messi has been an Adidas ambassador since 2006, serving as their top brand endorser. Although he initially signed with Nike at the age of 14, he later transitioned to Adidas. In 2008, Messi launched a long-lasting signature line of Adidas boots, along with his own sub-brand named Adidas Messi.

Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal

A contract leaked in June 2023 revealed that Lionel signed a three-year deal in January 2021, which could compensate him $25 million for promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia. The agreement stipulates the following conditions:

• #1) Annual trips to Saudi Arabia with the option to bring up to 20 friends. All expenses are covered, including travel and five-star accommodations, with the vacation lasting at least five days.
• #2) Ten annual social media posts endorsing Saudi Arabia using government-approved hashtags.
• #3) Participation in an annual tourism advertising campaign, which last year involved appearing in a promotional video for Visit Saudi.

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

Adding everything together, over three years, Lionel could earn a total of $25 million for relatively minimal effort. However, one condition remains: According to the contract reviewed by the Times, Lionel “cannot say anything that might ‘tarnish’ Saudi Arabia.”

Early Life

Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Horacio Messi, worked as a factory steelworker, while his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, was a part-time cleaner. He shares a close bond with his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, as well as a sister named Maria Sol. The family frequently played soccer together, including their cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom also became professional footballers. Messi began his soccer journey at the age of six with the Rosario club, playing for Newell’s Old Boys.

At the age of ten, Lionel was diagnosed with a deficiency in growth hormone, while his father found it increasingly difficult to afford the necessary medical treatments. Newell’s initially agreed to help but later rescinded their offer. Carles Rexach, the Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, stepped in and proposed to cover Messi’s medical expenses on the condition that he could relocate to Spain. With the backing of Lionel’s father, Rexach hastily penned a contract on a paper napkin, leading 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 living in Barcelona with his father. A year later, he joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation, becoming a member of the “Baby Dream Team,” which featured Barcelona’s finest young soccer talents.

Career

Having turned 17, Lionel debuted in the league against RCD Espanyol, becoming the third-youngest player in FC Barcelona’s history. Additionally, he was the youngest player ever to score for Barcelona. Throughout the 2005-2006 season, Messi was compensated as a first-team player and acquired Spanish citizenship, marking his entrance into the Spanish First Division league. During his initial match, he received a standing ovation after scoring alongside the renowned Ronaldinho. Out of his seventeen League games, he netted six goals and scored once in six Champions League matches. In 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to participate in and score at the FIFA World Cup.

Following the World Cup, Messi faced a broken metatarsal during the 2006-2007 season, which sidelined him for three months. He returned to play as a substitute against Racing Santander. That March, he made headlines by scoring a hat trick against Real Madrid, becoming the first player since Ivan Zamorano to achieve this feat in El Clasico. In the 2007-2008 season, Messi propelled Barcelona into the top four of La Liga, earning a nomination as a forward for the FIFA ProWorld XI Player Award, while Marca recognized him as the best player globally. Other publications echoed the sentiment, suggesting Messi deserved the Ballon d’Or. He ultimately claimed his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 at the age of 22 and subsequently secured three consecutive awards annually. Additionally, he won an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2012, Messi shattered the La Liga and European records for the highest number of goals scored in a single season, solidifying his status as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer. In the following two seasons, as Barcelona’s team captain, Messi finished second for the Ballon d’Or, trailing his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2014, he led Argentina to the World Cup finals and earned the Golden Ball award. Although Lionel announced his retirement in 2016, he reversed his decision, guiding Argentina to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they finished third at the 2019 Copa America. In 2019, Messi achieved a historic 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 proceeded to overtime and concluded with a shootout.

Charity

The Leo Messi Foundation, founded by Messi, is dedicated to providing underprivileged children with improved opportunities in education and health care. This charity was established in 2007 after a transformative visit to a children’s hospital in Boston, as Messi has expressed. With support from Herbalife, the foundation covers medical treatment, transportation, and recuperation costs for children facing significant health challenges. Furthermore, since March 2010, Messi has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, undertaking a field mission to Haiti to raise awareness about the hardships faced by children in the country following a devastating earthquake.

In addition to his foundation work, Lionel participates in various fundraising efforts, including global football matches and contributions to different charities. He also provides financial assistance to several youth football clubs in Argentina, including Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Juniors. Notably, in 2012, he financed the construction of a new gym and dormitory at his childhood club, Newell’s. His former coach there is now employed by the Messi Foundation, serving as a talent scout for young athletes.

In March 2020, Messi made a significant donation of $1 million to aid in combating the spread of coronavirus. Additionally, during the COVID-19 crisis, Lionel and his Barcelona Football Club teammates agreed to a 70 percent salary cut to ensure that no staff members would face wage reductions amid the global crisis.

Personal Life

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, who is also from Rosario. They have been friends since the age of five and publicly announced their relationship in January 2009. The couple tied the knot in Rosario in June 2007 and has three children: Thiago (born in 2012), Mateo (born in 2015), and Ciro (born in 2018). Lionel maintains a close relationship with his immediate family, particularly his mother, whose face is tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional endeavors are managed primarily as a family business, with his father serving as his agent since Messi was 14 and his older brother Rodrigo managing his public relations.

Real Estate

In 2009, Messi acquired a home in the Pedrables area of Barcelona for $2 million, subsequently investing millions into renovations and upgrades. Today, the property’s value is estimated between $7 and $10 million.

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