Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers in history, boasts a net worth of $650 million. Renowned for his incredible skills and numerous endorsements, Messi has made a significant impact on the world of football.
Messi began his career with FC Barcelona, where he played as a striker and winger from his teenage years until 2021. During his time with the club, he scored an astonishing 672 goals in 778 appearances. In March 2021, Lionel Messi’s net worth grew because he made the move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and continues to play for the Argentina national team. His crowning achievement came on December 18, 2022, when he led Argentina to victory in the World Cup.
In 2017, Messi signed a record-breaking contract with Barcelona, earning him an average of $168 million per year, along with nearly $40 million annually from endorsements, bringing his total earnings to approximately $200 million per year.
While some sources have mistakenly labeled Messi as a billionaire, the truth is that he has earned over $1.3 billion during his career—approximately $900 million from his salary and $400 million from endorsements. Despite these massive earnings, his net worth remains at $650 million.
Due to financial constraints, Barcelona was unable to retain Messi, leading him to join PSG. His initial contract with PSG guarantees him $75 million annually, with an option for a third year.
Messi was willing to take a 50% pay cut to stay at Barcelona, but league rules prevented it due to salary cap restrictions. On June 7, 2023, Messi announced his decision to join David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami, in a unique deal that also includes a share of revenue from Apple’s coverage of the MLS season.
Key Facts About Lionel Messi’s Earnings
- Barcelona Contract: Messi earned around $160 million annually while playing for Barcelona.
- Endorsement Revenue: He makes approximately $40 to $60 million annually from sponsorships and endorsements.
- Highest-Paid Athlete: Messi is consistently recognized as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
- Total Annual Income: His combined earnings from salary and endorsements often exceed $200 million annually.
- Career Earnings: Messi has earned over $1.3 billion throughout his career.
- Salary Earnings: Approximately $900 million of his total earnings have come from his salary.
- Endorsement Earnings: Messi has made around $400 million from endorsements and sponsorship deals.
Earnings and Contracts
At the height of his career with Barcelona, Lionel Messi was the highest-paid football player in the world. His 2017 contract guaranteed him a base salary of $168 million annually. Although the details of his contract remained confidential for some time, a report by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo in January 2021 revealed that his previous annual base salary was $44.68 million.
In August 2021, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a two-year contract worth $75 million annually before taxes, which translates to around $40 million after taxes. His PSG contract also includes bonuses for achieving certain milestones and a percentage of jersey sales.
Lionel Messi earns an additional $40 million annually from endorsements, including a lifetime deal with Adidas. From June 2018 to June 2019, he earned an impressive $130 million. He has also been featured on the covers of the Pro Evolution Soccer video game series and has actively participated in its promotion.
Inter Miami Venture
On June 7, 2023, it was reported that Lionel Messi would be joining Inter Miami, an MLS team co-owned by David Beckham. The reported deal includes a weekly salary of $1.03 million, amounting to $4 million annually over four years. A unique aspect of Messi’s deal with Miami is the revenue-sharing agreement with Apple for MLS Season Pass subscriptions.
Adidas Collaboration
Lionel Messi has been a key brand ambassador for Adidas since 2006. Initially signed with Nike at the age of 14, he later switched to Adidas. Over the years, he has developed a successful line of Adidas football boots and even has his sub-brand, known as Adidas Messi.