Net Worth Ranker
What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?
Lionel Messi, born in Argentina on June 24, 1987, boasts a net worth of $850 million as of early 2025. This figure is primarily composed of his earnings from professional soccer contracts and lucrative endorsement deals. While some reports have erroneously labeled him a billionaire, comprehensive analysis of his earnings confirms that his net worth falls just shy of that milestone.
Lionel Messi’s Career Earnings and Contracts
Messi’s career earnings are distributed across various streams. A significant portion of his wealth originates from his salaries playing for FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami. By the end of his Barcelona tenure, Messi had accumulated over $1.6 billion, comprising approximately $1.2 billion in salary and $400 million in endorsements. During his peak years at Barcelona, Messi’s 2017 contract awarded him a base annual salary of $168 million. Details from a leaked contract in January 2021 revealed that a previous contract had provided him with a base salary of $44.68 million per year. Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021 included a two-year deal that paid him $75 million annually before taxes, equating to around $40 million after taxes. Additionally, this contract included bonuses based on specific achievements and a percentage of jersey sales. In June 2023, Messi joined Inter Miami with a base salary of $60 million per year, and further included a 10% ownership stake in the team upon the contract’s conclusion. That stake could be worth $200 million or more. Despite rejecting a reported $1 billion contract from a Saudi Pro League team, which would have paid $400 million per season, Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami introduced a new dynamic to his earnings structure. The Inter Miami deal also incorporates a revenue share from subscriptions sold by Apple for its MLS Season Pass.
Lionel Messi’s Endorsements and Sponsorships
Endorsements form a substantial part of Lionel Messi’s annual income, contributing roughly $70 million each year. He has a lifetime endorsement agreement with Adidas, solidifying his status as their leading brand ambassador since 2006. Previously, Messi was associated with Nike at the age of 14 but later switched to Adidas, launching his sub-brand of boots called Adidas Messi in 2008. In January 2021, Messi entered a three-year contract with Visit Saudi, potentially earning him $25 million to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. The contract requires him to take an annual vacation to Saudi Arabia for a minimum of five days, with expenses paid for himself and up to 20 guests. Messi must also create ten social media posts yearly promoting Saudi Arabia and participate in an annual tourism ad campaign, earning $2 million per obligation. For charitable work, he can earn an additional $2 million per year. A critical condition of the agreement stipulates that Messi must not make statements that could “tarnish” Saudi Arabia’s image.
Lionel Messi’s Real Estate Portfolio
Lionel Messi’s real estate investments include properties in Barcelona and Miami. In 2009, he purchased a home in the Pedrables neighborhood of Barcelona for $2 million, investing additional millions in renovations, increasing its estimated current value to $7–$10 million. In November 2019, Messi acquired a condo in Miami for $5 million. In April 2021, he purchased the entire ninth floor of a building in Miami for $7.3 million.
Lionel Messi’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Rosario, Argentina, on June 24, 1987, Lionel Messi’s early life was marked by a passion for soccer. His father, Jorge Horacio Messi, worked as a factory steelworker, and his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, was a part-time cleaner. At age six, Messi joined the Rosario soccer club and played for Newell’s Old Boys. At age ten, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, and his father could no longer afford medical treatment for him. The Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, Carles Rexach, offered to cover the medical expenses if Messi moved to Spain. In February 2001, Messi’s family moved to Barcelona, and he was enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation. At age 17, Messi made his league debut against RCD Espanyol and became the third-youngest person to play for FC Barcelona. During the 2005-2006 season, Messi began being paid as a first-team member and also got his Spanish citizenship. He also made his debut in the Spanish First Division league.
Lionel Messi’s Charitable Activities
Lionel Messi established the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007 to support underprivileged children with education and healthcare. Inspired by a visit to a Boston children’s hospital, the foundation collaborates with Herbalife to cover medical treatment, transportation, and recuperation costs for children with medical conditions. Since March 2010, Messi has been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, participating in field missions such as his trip to Haiti to raise awareness about the plight of children after the earthquake. Messi also contributes financially to youth football clubs in Argentina, including Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Junior. In 2012, Messi funded the construction of a new gym and dorm at his boyhood club, Newell’s. His former coach works for the Messi Foundation as a talent scout. In March 2020, Messi donated $1 million to combat the spread of coronavirus. In addition, Messi and his Barcelona teammates took a 70 percent pay cut during the COVID-19 emergency to ensure no Barcelona workers had their wages reduced.
Lionel Messi’s Personal Life
Lionel Messi has been in a relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, a Rosario native, since 2008. They have known each other since they were five years old. They confirmed their romance publicly in January 2009. Messi and Roccuzzo got married in Rosario in June 2007. The couple has three children: Thiago (b. 2012), Matero (b. 2015), and Ciro (b. 2018). Lionel is still very close to his immediate family members, especially his mother. He has her face tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional affairs are run mostly as a family business, with his father having been his agent since Messi was 14. His older brother Rodrigo handles his publicity.
