Lionel Messi

Main income from Inter Miami salary, Adidas deal, and endorsements.

• Birth Date:June 24, 1987
• Birth Place:Rosario, Santa Fe
• Birth Country:Argentina
• Nationality:Argentine
• Occupation:Professional Football Player

The story of Lionel Messi is not just a chronicle of footballing genius; it is a blueprint for building one of the most formidable personal fortunes in modern sports history. Born in Rosario, Argentina, in 1987, Messi’s early life was defined by working-class humility and an almost supernatural talent for the game. His family—father Jorge, a steelworker, and mother Celia, a magnet manufacturing worker—struggled to cope when, at age ten, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The cost of treatment, nearly $1,000 a month, was prohibitive for his local club, Newell’s Old Boys. This desperate need for funding became the catalyst for his career breakthrough: a trial with FC Barcelona at age 13, which famously culminated in a contract being drawn up on a paper napkin, with the club agreeing to finance his medical bills and relocate his entire family to Spain. That napkin contract set the stage for two decades of unparalleled dominance, both on the pitch and in the bank. Messi’s ascent at Barcelona made him the highest-paid athlete in the world for several years running. His final contract with the Spanish giants, leaked in 2021, revealed an astonishing four-year deal worth a potential €555 million (approximately $674 million at the time), cementing him as the first footballer to earn over $100 million annually. Even after his emotional departure to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021, and his subsequent move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023, his earning power has only grown. The Inter Miami deal was a revolutionary package, reportedly including not only a substantial salary but also revenue-sharing agreements with both Apple (for MLS Season Pass subscriptions) and Adidas (for merchandise sales), effectively turning him into a partial partner in the league’s growth. Today, Messi’s net worth stands conservatively at $650 million, a figure bolstered by an elite portfolio of endorsements. His lifetime partnership with Adidas, signed in 2017, is rumored to be worth nine figures alone, rivaling Michael Jordan’s deal with Nike. He also maintains lucrative partnerships with PepsiCo, Budweiser, and the cryptocurrency platform Socios.com. Beyond endorsements, Messi has strategically entered the business world. He owns the Messi Store, a lifestyle and apparel brand, and has invested heavily in real estate, particularly in his hometown of Rosario and in Miami. His investment holding company, Play Time Sports-Tech, focuses on sports, media, and technology investments, positioning him as a serious tech venture capitalist. Messi’s lifestyle reflects his immense wealth, though he maintains a reputation for relative modesty compared to some of his flashier contemporaries. His primary residence in Barcelona, a sprawling mansion in the exclusive suburb of Castelldefels, features a small football pitch, a swimming pool, and a private no-fly zone enforced by local authorities to protect his privacy. His car collection includes high-end models like a Ferrari F430 Spider and a Maserati GranTurismo. However, his spending has occasionally led to public scrutiny. In 2016, Messi and his father, Jorge, faced a significant controversy when they were convicted of tax fraud in Spain, related to using offshore shell companies to avoid paying taxes on image rights earnings between 2007 and 2009. While Messi maintained he was unaware of the financial details, the scandal resulted in hefty fines and a suspended prison sentence, a rare stain on his otherwise pristine public image. Fans, however, rarely dwell on the controversies, preferring the romantic narrative of his enduring partnership with his childhood sweetheart, Antonela Roccuzzo. A persistent, juicy rumor that circulates among fans involves the intense, unspoken rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo. While both men publicly maintain respect, sources close to both camps have often whispered about the obsessive tracking of each other’s goal tallies, Ballon d’Or wins, and even endorsement values, suggesting a private, hyper-competitive dynamic that fueled both their legendary careers. Looking ahead, even as his playing career winds down in Miami, Messi’s future earnings are secured. His transition into a global sports icon and business mogul ensures that the $650 million figure is merely a waypoint, with his brand set to generate billions long after he hangs up his boots, likely through his continued involvement with MLS and his burgeoning tech ventures.

• Wikipedia

Estimates may vary. Always verify from official sources. Unverified rumors should be treated as speculation.