Rich Dudes│How Football Legend Lionel Messi Scored His $600M Net Worth

Messi's net worth is a topic that'll always interest soccer enthusiasts worldwide. As arguably the greatest player of all time in the sport's history, his earnings are a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the game.

But how did Messi amass such wealth? And, aside from soccer, what other sources generate income for him? Find all the answers in this Messi net worth breakdown as we explore the legendary icon's career, earnings, and investments to give you an in-depth look into his business acumen.

Born in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi, also known as Leo Messi, is a household name in the world of soccer, with a glittering career that spans over two decades. 

Widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all time, Messi’s journey began in his home country before moving to FC Barcelona in Spain at 13 years old. From there, his career took off as he became a club legend, scoring 672 goals for Barcelona.

Messi’s international football career is impressive, with multiple appearances in the FIFA World Cup and Copa America for the Argentina national team. Throughout his illustrious career, Messi has accumulated numerous awards and honors. 

Messi was awarded seven Ballon d’Or awards and six European Golden Shoes. His successes on the field have translated into significant earnings that contributed to his net worth.

Messi’s club career began in Argentina, but his move to Barcelona’s youth academy set him on the path to becoming a club legend. He succeeded tremendously with Barcelona, winning 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey crowns, and four UEFA Champions League trophies. 

These accolades cement his status as one of the greatest players of all time. His record-breaking 672 goals for the club made him a fan favorite and an iconic figure in the soccer world.

In 2021, Messi made a surprising move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after Barcelona was unable to meet his salary requirements. Messi continued to showcase his talents with PSG, winning the French Ligue 1 title in his first season.

Messi is now set to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer for the upcoming 2023-2024 season, adding another chapter to his impressive club career alongside his partner Maria Sol.

Messi has also had a memorable career with Argentina on the international stage. The 2006 World Cup made him the youngest Argentine to play and score in the prestigious tournament. He's racked up multiple FIFA World Cup appearances and Copa America appearances.

In 2021, Messi achieved one of his most memorable feats in international football when he led Argentina to victory in the Copa America. This triumph was followed by another significant milestone in 2022, as Messi and his Argentina teammates emerged victorious in the World Cup final against France. 

Messi’s performance in the tournament was nothing short of extraordinary, as Messi scored two goals in the final and a decisive penalty in the shootout.

Messi’s international career is a testament to his unwavering dedication and talent. His numerous accolades and achievements on the world stage have solidified his status as one of the greatest soccer players ever.

Lionel Messi’s earnings reflect his extraordinary talent and dedication to the sport. As one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, Messi’s career earnings include:

• Salaries from his time at Barcelona
• Salaries from Paris Saint-Germain
• His move to Inter Miami
• Various endorsement deals

According to estimates, Messi has earned a staggering $1.15 billion in total throughout his career, both on and off the pitch. His earnings have not only come from his club contracts but also lucrative endorsement deals and investments, making the talented left-footer one of the wealthiest athletes in the world.

During his time at Barcelona, Messi became the highest-paid athlete in the world, with a base salary of up to $165 million. His contract with the club was a significant part of his career earnings.

However, in 2021, Barcelona announced they could not meet Messi’s salary requirements due to financial constraints, leading to his move to Paris Saint-Germain. Though his time at Barcelona came to an end, Messi’s earnings from the club were instrumental in establishing himself as one of the richest players in the sport.

After leaving Barcelona, Messi signed a Barcelona contract with Paris Saint-Germain, where he earned a base salary of $75 million annually. In addition to his base salary, Messi also received bonuses and incentives that further increased his earnings from the club. 

By factoring in his annual endorsement earnings of $33 million, Lionel Messi's position among the world's highest-paid athletes is undoubtedly secure.

Messi’s contract with PSG was structured to provide $120 million over three years, with $33 million paid in the first season and $44 million for the remaining two campaigns.

In a major move, Lionel Messi officially signed a four-year contract with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), worth $54 million annually. While this amount may be lower than his previous contracts, Messi's deal with Inter Miami significantly boost his career earnings.

The agreement between Messi and the club is unique, including a share of revenue and profits from his arrival. Commercial partnerships with leading MLS brands, including Apple, will contribute to this arrangement. 

As part of the agreement, Messi stands to earn a portion of the profits generated by merchandise sales and revenue from new subscribers to Apple's MLS Season Pass.

Lionel Messi is not only a football icon but also a master in the endorsement game, with a string of lucrative deals under his belt. He had notable endorsement partnerships with Socios, Adidas, Gatorade, Pepsi, Jacob and Co., Konami, OrCam, Lays, Ooredoo, and Budweiser.

Adidas has been Messi's sportswear sponsor since 2006, and he has become the face of the brand. In 2017, he signed a lifetime contract with Adidas, earning him an impressive $25 million annually. Messi's collaborations with Adidas include a line of Messi-branded soccer cleats.

Lionel Messi’s impact on social media is undeniable. With millions of followers across various platforms, he can reach a vast audience with his posts, promoting brands and products to his fans.

Messi earns $1.78 million per Instagram post, making him one of the highest earners on the platform. With 477 million followers as of July 2023, Messi is the third highest-paid celebrity on Instagram after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylie Jenner.

Some of the brands Messi has endorsed through his social media accounts include Adidas, Pepsi, Gatorade, Budweiser, J&T Express, Socios, Lays, and more.

His ability to reach a vast audience through social media further cements his status as one of the most influential athletes in the world and adds to his impressive net worth.

Lionel Messi’s net worth is derived from his career earnings and social media presence and his various investments, business ventures, and assets. These include his fashion line, involvement in cryptocurrencies and NFTs, real estate holdings, and car collection.

By adopting a diversified portfolio, Messi has amassed a significant net worth, making him one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. In this section, we will explore Messi’s various investments and assets, providing a comprehensive look at the different aspects of his financial success.

Messi has ventured into the fashion world with his own clothing line, the Messi Store. Launched in 2019, the store offers a range of apparel and accessories inspired by Messi’s personal style and soccer career.

The successful public offering involved the sale of 1.5 million shares, with multiple trading halts occurring due to the overwhelming demand for Messi's brand. MGO was established in 2018 and launched The Messi brand in 2019. This market debut signifies the strong appeal and market potential of the iconic soccer legend's clothing line.

On top of his clothing line, Messi also invests in luxury watches, evidenced by his collaboration with luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co. on a limited edition timepiece called the “Epic X Chrono Messi.”

Messi has also shown interest in the world of cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). He's partnering with digital fan token company Socios.com and cryptocurrency exchange Bitget. 

In March 2022, Messi signed an endorsement deal with fan engagement app Socios, earning him $20 million annually. This partnership with the blockchain-based platform allows fans to interact with Messi and participate in club-related decision-making processes.

Bitget and Messi embarked on a collaborative journey, delving into the intersections of web3, cryptocurrency, and football as he prepared to represent the Argentinian national team in the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

For avid Messi fans, Bitget offered a range of captivating opportunities. Notably, the "King's Cup Global Invitational 2022: Football Edition" captured attention, which took place from November to December 2022. Enthusiasts had the thrilling chance to win remarkable prizes, with the potential to secure up to 100 BTC.

While it is not known if Messi has made any individual investments in cryptocurrencies, his involvement with these companies highlights his interest in the potential of digital assets.

By exploring opportunities in web3, Messi continues diversifying his income sources, expanding his financial portfolio, and growing his net worth.

Lionel Messi strategically invests in real estate, demonstrating his financial acumen and desire for prime properties worldwide. In 2009, he purchased a lavish estate near Barcelona for $2 million, which has since risen to an estimated $7 million. 

In 2017, he ventured into hotel ownership by acquiring a beachside property in Sitges, Catalonia, for $30.5 million, expanding his hotel chain, MiM Hotels. Two years later, in 2019, Messi purchased an oceanfront condo in Miami's Porsche Design Tower for $5 million and later acquired the entire ninth floor of the Regalia for $7.3 million. 

Additionally, the pro footballer constructed a massive compound called "The Fortress" in Rosario, Argentina, and reportedly acquired an Ibiza mansion for $11.18 million. Messi's real estate portfolio showcases his penchant for investing in luxury assets.

Alongside his personal residences, Messi has also invested in the Azahares del Parana project, a gated community development in Rosario.

Lionel Messi owns an array of high-end automobiles that showcase his penchant for excellent rides. The crown jewel of his collection is the Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti, a legendary car purchased for a staggering $36 million. 

His garage also includes a Ferrari F430 Spyder priced at $164,490 and a Pagani Zonda Tricolore worth around $2 million. Not limited to Italian sports cars, Messi owns a trio of Audis—an RS6, an A7, and a Q7—collectively valued at $232,000.

Other notable additions include a Mercedes SLS AMG worth $642,490, Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale priced at $242,000, and a Cadillac Escalade currently valued at $75,195. Additionally, he possesses two Range Rover models, and his more affordable autos include a Lexus RX 450h and a Mini Cooper.

Messi's collection reflects his affinity for luxury vehicles and his willingness to invest in automotive masterpieces.

2. Passion trumps wealth

The genetic lottery may have given Lionel Messi a golden foot, but his sharp business mind has sent his net worth rocketing into the stratosphere. Having started his career at FC Barcelona and then served the Argentine national team with an Olympic gold medal and a glorious win in the World Cup, the Argentine superstar showed the world that talent could go hand in hand with perseverance and hard work.

With multiple Ballon d'Or wins under his belt, and an impressive tally of goals scored, Messi has managed to leverage his star power into some of the most lucrative endorsement deals in soccer history while doing penalty kicks as if they're child's play. His annual salary from his professional career, along with earnings from partnerships with brands such as Pro Evolution Soccer and the Leo Messi Foundation, has consistently made him one of the highest-paid players in the world.

His career earnings are a testament to years of dedication to the sport, starting from a young age at his boyhood club Newell's in Argentina, and making it to the pinnacle of soccer at Camp Nou. He reached several milestones there—from being the highest scorer to winning the golden ball. 

His on-field earnings, however, represent only one facet of Messi's earning prowess. His star power has also translated into successful business ventures, from owning a Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale to a luxury eco-house tucked away in the Catalan mountains.

Messi has proven to be an astute investor when not toeing the line against rivals like Real Madrid. He's shown keen interest in retail, establishing his first retail outlet and engaging in charity works through his foundation. Despite battling a growth hormone deficiency as a youth player overcoming obstacles, and becoming the youngest player ever to represent FC Barcelona in a World Cup, Messi has always maintained a steadfast commitment toward performance and wealth accumulation.

Messi's net worth shows that talent, grit, and a competitive spirit can guide you to the top of the world. Even as a free agent, he commands the kind of clout and respect worthy of someone who has spent over a decade reigning supreme in professional soccer. With three children and a proud patron of many awards, including the prestigious Pichichi Trophy, Messi continues to shine on and off the field, reinforcing his status as a legend of the game and leaving a legacy for future generations.

So whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the little Argentine or a young aspirant dreaming of making it to the highest echelons of soccer, Lionel Messi's story is nothing short of inspiring. From humble beginnings to commanding top dollar, both on and off the pitch, Messi's journey proves the power of talent, hard work, and the right investments.