| Information | Category |
| $650 Million | Net Worth |
| $75 Million | Salary |
| Jun 24, 1987 (36 years old) | Birthdate |
| Rosario, Argentina | Birthplace |
| Male | Gender |
| 5 ft 6 in (1.69 m) | Height |
| Football player | Profession |
| Argentina | Nationality |
What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?
Lionel Messi, born in Argentina, is a renowned professional athlete with a net worth of $650 million. Widely acclaimed as one of the greatest soccer players ever, he has been a key figure in FC Barcelona’s success. Messi, who primarily played as a striker and winger for Barcelona, scored an impressive 672 goals in 778 games during his tenure with the club.
In August 2021, Lionel transferred to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona, marking a significant career move. Apart from his club success, Messi has also been a vital part of the Argentina National Team, notably winning the World Cup with them on December 18, 2022.
Notably, Messi’s earnings have been staggering. His 2017 contract with Barcelona alone had an average base annual salary of $168 million, and his endorsement deals add an additional $40 million annually. Despite earning over $1.3 billion in his career, he is often mistakenly labeled as a billionaire, primarily due to misinterpretations of his earnings.
In August 2020, Barcelona announced that they could not afford to renew Messi’s contract, leading him to sign with Paris Saint-Germain for a salary of $75 million per year. Despite his willingness to take a pay cut, league regulations prevented him from staying at Barcelona.
On June 7, 2023, Messi made another significant career move by joining David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami, in a unique deal that includes a revenue share from subscriptions to Apple’s coverage of the MLS season.
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KEY FACTS
- Barcelona contract paid him $160 million per year
- Makes $40-60 million per year from endorsements
- Is the highest paid athlete on the planet
- Total annual income typically tops $200 million
- Has earned over $1.3 billion in his career from all sources
- Has earned around $900m in salary
- Has earned around $400 million from endorsements
Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts
During his peak with Barcelona, Lionel Messi was the highest-earning soccer player globally. In 2017, he inked a deal with Barcelona, fetching a base salary of $168 million. While his contract details were kept confidential, they were leaked by the Spanish newspaper “El Mundo” in January 2021, revealing his previous base salary to be $44.68 million annually.
In August 2021, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain, signing a two-year contract worth $75 million per year pre-tax, approximately $40 million post-tax. His contract includes bonuses for achievements and a percentage of jersey sales.
Apart from his playing income, Messi earns an additional $40 million annually through endorsements, including a lifetime deal with Adidas. Between June 2018 and June 2019, he raked in an impressive $130 million. Messi has also been prominently featured in the “Pro Evolution Soccer” video game series.
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$1 Billion Saudi Contract
In May 2023, news surfaced indicating that Lionel Messi was close to finalizing a contract worth $1 billion with an undisclosed Saudi Pro League club. The reported agreement would see Messi earn an astonishing $400 million annually, a figure that would almost double the 2.5-year, $535 million contract Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in December 2022.
Inter Miami
In a recent update, news surfaced on June 7, 2023, revealing Lionel Messi’s intention to join Inter Miami, an MLS team co-owned by David Beckham. The deal is said to offer Messi a weekly salary of $1.03 million, totaling $54 million annually over a four-year period. What adds an intriguing dimension to this agreement is that Messi’s contract with Miami will also include a revenue share from subscriptions sold by Apple for its MLS Season Pass.
Adidas Endorsement
As one of the most renowned athletes globally, Messi has been sponsored by Adidas since 2006, serving as their top brand ambassador. Initially signed with Nike at 14, he later switched to Adidas. In 2008, Messi launched a long-standing signature collection of Adidas boots, and he even has his own sub-brand of boots named Adidas Messi.
Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal
In January 2021, Lionel signed a three-year contract worth up to $25 million to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. The contract includes the following terms:
- Lionel must take an annual five-day vacation to Saudi Arabia, with up to 20 friends. All expenses, including travel and accommodation, are covered.
- He is required to make ten social media posts per year promoting Saudi Arabia, using approved hashtags.
- Lionel must participate in an annual tourism ad campaign, which last year involved appearing in a promotional video for Visit Saudi.
For each social media post and ad campaign, Lionel is paid $2 million per year. He can also earn an additional $2 million per year for participating in charitable work.
Overall, Lionel can earn $25 million over three years. However, he is prohibited from making any statements that could damage Saudi Arabia’s reputation.
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, worked part-time as a cleaner. Messi is close to his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and his sister, Maria Sol. The family often played soccer together, along with cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom became professional footballers. Messi began his soccer journey at the age of six, joining the Rosario soccer club and later playing for Newell’s Old Boys.
At the age of ten, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, and his family faced financial challenges for his medical treatment. While Newell’s initially offered support, they later withdrew their assistance. FC Barcelona’s Sporting Director, Carles Rexach, came to Messi’s aid, offering to cover his medical expenses if he moved to Spain. With his father’s approval, Messi signed a contract on a napkin, and the family relocated to Barcelona in February 2001. They settled in an apartment near Camp Nou, Barcelona’s stadium. Messi experienced homesickness when his mother and siblings returned to Rosario, leaving him in Barcelona with his father. However, he found solace in his football career, eventually joining the Royal Spanish Football Federation and becoming a part of Barcelona’s esteemed “Baby Dream Team,” comprised of the club’s most talented young players.
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Career
At 17, Lionel Messi made his league debut for FC Barcelona against RCD Espanyol, becoming the third-youngest player to do so. He quickly made history as the youngest player to score for the club. During the 2005-2006 season, Messi transitioned to being paid as a first-team member and obtained Spanish citizenship. He also debuted in the Spanish First Division league, receiving a standing ovation after scoring in a match alongside Ronaldinho. Messi made 17 league appearances, scoring six goals, and one goal in six Champions League matches. In 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to play and score in the FIFA World Cup.
Following the World Cup, Messi faced a setback with a broken metatarsal, sidelining him for three months. He returned as a substitute against Racing Santander. In March of that season, he scored 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 led Barcelona to a top-four finish in La Liga. He was nominated as a forward for the FIFA ProWorld XI Player Award and was named the world’s best player by Marca newspaper, with other publications advocating for him to win the Ballon d’Or. Messi eventually won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 at age 22, going on to win three more consecutively. He also secured an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
In 2012, Messi set records in La Liga and Europe for most goals scored in a single season, solidifying his position as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer. As team captain, Messi finished second for the Ballon d’Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the following two seasons. He led Argentina to the World Cup finals in 2014, earning the Golden Ball. Messi initially announced his retirement in 2016 but later reversed his decision, leading Argentina to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and securing a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa America. In 2019, Messi made history by winning a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or.
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2022 World Cup
On December 18, Lionel Messi and his fellow Argentina players secured victory against France in the 2022 World Cup final. Messi scored twice during regular play, which extended into overtime and ultimately a shootout.
Charity
Lionel Messi established the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007, inspired by a visit to a children’s hospital in Boston, an experience that deeply impacted him. The foundation, in partnership with Herbalife, focuses on providing better opportunities for underprivileged children, especially in education and healthcare. Messi, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since March 2010, has undertaken various initiatives to support children in need.
He engages in individual fundraising activities, including organizing global football matches and raising funds for different charities. Messi also provides financial support to several youth football clubs in Argentina, such as Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Junior. In 2012, he financed the construction of a new gym and dormitory at his childhood club, Newell’s. Additionally, his foundation employs his former coach from Newell’s, who serves as a talent scout for young players.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Messi made a generous donation of $1 million to support efforts against the virus. Alongside his Barcelona teammates, he agreed to a 70 percent salary reduction to ensure that no Barcelona employees faced wage cuts during the global crisis.
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Personal Life
Lionel Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo, who is also from Rosario, since 2008. They have known each other since they were five years old and publicly confirmed their romance in January 2009. The couple tied the knot in a ceremony in Rosario in June 2007. They are proud parents to three children: Thiago, born in 2012, Mateo, born in 2015, and Ciro, born in 2018. Lionel maintains a close bond with his immediate family, especially his mother, whose likeness he has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional affairs are largely managed as a family business, with his father serving as his agent since Messi was just 14 years old. Additionally, his older brother Rodrigo is responsible for handling his public image.
Real Estate
In 2009, Lionel Messi purchased a residence in the Pedrables neighborhood of Barcelona for $2 million, subsequently investing millions more in renovations and improvements. The property is now valued at an estimated $7 to $10 million.
In November 2019, Messi acquired a $5 million condominium in Miami. Then, in April 2021, he purchased the entire ninth floor of another Miami building for $7.3 million.