Lionel Messi Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?

Lionel Messi is a professional athlete born in Argentina, boasting a net worth of $850 million. Often considered the greatest soccer player globally and one of the finest in history, he ranks as one of the highest-paid athletes ever. Messi played for Barcelona from his teenage years until 2021, achieving an impressive 672 goals in 778 matches. On August 10, 2021, it was announced that Lionel would transition from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, and he also represents the Argentina National Team. On December 18, 2022, Lionel, along with the Argentina National team, secured the World Cup title.

Likely the top-paid soccer player globally, Messi is undoubtedly among the highest-paid athletes overall. His remarkable contract with Barcelona in 2017 provided an average base annual salary of $168 million. Additionally, he earns approximately $70 million annually from endorsements, allowing him to generate around $200 million in total yearly income under that contract. On June 7, 2023, Lionel announced his decision to join David Beckham’s MLS club, Inter Miami, through a unique agreement that includes sharing revenues from Apple’s MLS season coverage and an ownership interest in the team. More on this contract will be discussed later in this article, but to summarize, Lionel’s base salary at Inter Miami is set at $60 million, with a potential 10% ownership stake in the franchise by the end of his contract. If the team’s value remains stable after his retirement, that 10% ownership could be worth $200 million or more.

Contrary to claims made by some less-reliable sources, Lionel Messi is NOT A BILLIONAIRE. By the conclusion of his Barcelona contract, with his endorsements included, Lionel had earned over $1.6 billion. According to our estimates, his earnings from salary amount to around $1.2 billion, while endorsements contribute approximately $400 million. Some outlets misinterpreted the information about his total earnings surpassing $1 billion and incorrectly labeled him as a “billionaire.”

Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts

During his peak at Barcelona, Lionel Messi was undoubtedly the best-paid soccer player worldwide. In 2017, he secured a contract with Barcelona that offered a base salary of $168 million. The details of his contract were kept confidential for several years until January 2021, when the Spanish publication “El Mundo” revealed the leaked figures. Before this contract, Messi’s annual base salary was $44.68 million.

In August 2021, Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain, starting with a two-year agreement that translates to $75 million per year before taxes, approximately $40 million after tax deductions. His contract also allowed him to receive additional bonuses based on specific achievements and a share of jersey sales.

Messi secures an additional $70 million each year through endorsements, holding a lifetime endorsement deal with Adidas.

$1 Billion Saudi Contract

Reports surfaced in May 2023 indicating that Lionel Messi was nearing a $1 billion contract with an undisclosed Saudi Pro League team. The agreement would…

Lionel is reportedly set to earn a salary of $400 MILLION per season. If this claim holds true, his annual earnings would almost double Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2.5-year, $535 million agreement with Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr, which he accepted in December 2022. Ultimately, Lionel declined this offer and opted instead to join David Beckham’s MLS franchise, Inter Miami.

Inter Miami

On June 7, 2023, reports surfaced indicating Messi’s intention to sign with MLS’s Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham. As per the reports, the deal would offer him a weekly salary of $1.03 million ($54 million annually) over a duration of four years. Interestingly, Messi’s Miami contract will also include a revenue share from subscriptions sold by Apple for its MLS Season Pass. Further details unveiled that Lionel’s contract with Inter Miami pays him $60 million each year in salary and provides him a 10% ownership in the team, which has been valued at as much as $2 billion.

Adidas Endorsement

Messi, being among the most renowned and recognized athletes globally, has been associated with Adidas since 2006, serving as their principal brand endorser. He initially signed with Nike at the age of 14 but later transitioned to Adidas. By 2008, he had launched a long-running signature collection of Adidas boots and introduced his own sub-brand called Adidas Messi.

Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal

In June 2023, a leaked contract revealed that Lionel had signed a three-year agreement in January 2021, potentially worth $25 million to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. The contract details specific obligations for Lionel:

• #1) He must take an annual vacation to Saudi Arabia where he can invite up to 20 friends. All expenses, including travel and five-star accommodation, are covered, and the vacation should be at least five days.
• #2) He needs to create ten yearly social media posts promoting Saudi Arabia using approved hashtags.
• #3) He is to engage in an annual tourism advertising campaign, which last year involved participating in a promotional video for Visit Saudi.

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

When summed up, over three years, Lionel stands to earn $25 million for minimal effort. However, a specific stipulation exists: 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 in a steel factory, and his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, was employed 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 played soccer together alongside their cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom pursued professional football careers. Messi began his soccer journey at the age of six by joining the Rosario soccer club, playing for Newell’s Old Boys.

Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of ten, Lionel faced the challenge of his father being unable to afford the needed medical treatment. Although Newell’s initially agreed to help, they later withdrew their support. Carles Rexach, the Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, offered to cover the medical expenses if Messi relocated to Spain. With Lionel’s father’s consent, a contract was hastily written by Rexach on a paper napkin, and in February 2001, the family made the move to Barcelona. They settled into 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 joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation and became part of the “Baby Dream Team,” which consisted of Barcelona’s finest young soccer talents.

Career

Making his league debut at 17 against RCD Espanyol, Lionel became the third-youngest player ever to represent FC Barcelona. He also made history as the youngest player to score for the club. The 2005-2006 season marked Messi’s transition to a paid first-team member and the acquisition of his Spanish citizenship. He debuted in the Spanish First Division league, earning a standing ovation in his first match where he scored alongside superstar Ronaldinho. Out of his seventeen League appearances that season, he netted six goals and scored once in six matches in the Champions League. Furthermore, in 2006, Messi became the youngest Argentine to both play and score in the FIFA World Cup.

Following the World Cup, during the 2006-2007 season, Messi suffered a broken metatarsal injury that sidelined him for three months. He returned as a second-half substitute in a match against Racing Santander. In March of that season, he achieved a hat trick against Real Madrid, becoming the first player since Ivan Zamorano to do so in El Clasico. In the 2007-2008 season, Messi propelled Barcelona into the top four of La Liga. He was nominated for a FIFA ProWorld XI Player Award as a forward and was recognized by the Marca newspaper as the best player globally. Various other publications echoed that Lionel was deserving of the Ballon d’Or. He ultimately received his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 at the age of 22, followed by three consecutive wins in subsequent years. Additionally, he earned an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2012, he achieved La Liga and European records for the most goals scored in a single season, solidifying his place as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. During the next two seasons, serving as the captain of Barcelona, Messi finished as a runner-up for the Ballon d’Or behind his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2014, he guided Argentina to the World Cup finals, where he was awarded the Golden Ball. Although Lionel announced his retirement in 2016, he later rescinded that decision and led Argentina to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They secured a third-place finish in the 2019 Copa America. Messi made history by winning his sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019.

2022 World Cup

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

Charity

The Leo Messi Foundation, established by Messi, aims to provide better educational and healthcare opportunities for underprivileged children. Following a transformative visit to a children’s hospital in Boston in 2007, he initiated the charity. With support from Herbalife, the foundation covers medical treatment expenses, transportation, and recovery for children facing severe medical issues. Additionally, since March 2010, Messi has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. He undertook a field mission to Haiti to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the country’s children after the recent earthquake.

Moreover, Lionel engages in various individual fundraising activities, including global football matches and raising funds for multiple charities. He provides financial support to numerous youth football clubs in Argentina, such as Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Junior. At his childhood club, Newell’s, Messi financed the building of a new gym and dormitory within the club stadium in 2012. His former coach at Newell’s is currently employed by the Messi Foundation and works as a talent scout for emerging players.

In March 2020, Messi contributed $1 million to combat the spread of coronavirus. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 emergency, Lionel and his Barcelona Football Club teammates accepted a 70 percent salary reduction to ensure that no Barcelona employees faced wage deductions amid the global crisis.

Personal Life

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, a fellow native of Rosario, with whom he has shared a friendship since they were five years old. They publicly acknowledged their romance in January 2009 and married in Rosario in June 2007. The couple is blessed with three children: Thiago (b. 2012), Mateo (b. 2015), and Ciro (b. 2018). Lionel maintains a close bond with his immediate family, especially his mother, whose face he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional endeavors are largely managed as a family operation, with his father serving as his agent since Messi turned 14. His older brother Rodrigo oversees his publicity efforts.

Real Estate

In 2009, Messi acquired a residence in the Pedrables neighborhood of Barcelona for $2 million, followed by additional investments in renovations and enhancements. Today, the home is valued at an estimated $7 – $10 million.

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