Lionel Messi, born in Argentina, boasts a staggering net worth of $650 million, making him one of the wealthiest athletes globally. Widely hailed as the preeminent soccer player of his time and perhaps one of the greatest in history, Messi has left an indelible mark on the sport. He amassed the bulk of his fortune during his tenure as a striker and winger for FC Barcelona, where he notched an impressive 672 goals in 778 matches before departing for Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. Alongside his club endeavors, Messi represents the Argentina National Team, culminating in a historic World Cup victory on December 18, 2022.
His astronomical earnings are a testament to his unparalleled talent and marketability. His groundbreaking 2017 contract with Barcelona commanded an average annual salary of $168 million, augmented by an additional $40 million annually from endorsements. Although some sources erroneously tout him as a billionaire, Messi’s cumulative earnings surpass $1.3 billion, with approximately $900 million stemming from his salary and $400 million from endorsements.
| Category | Richest Athletes › Soccer Players |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $650 Million |
| Salary | $75 Million |
| Birthdate | Jun 24, 1987 (36 years old) |
| Birthplace | Rosario, Argentina |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.69 m) |
| Profession | Football player |
| Nationality | Argentina |
Barcelona’s financial constraints compelled Messi to seek new horizons, leading to his signing with Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, where he secured a $75 million yearly salary with an optional third year. Despite his willingness to accept a significant pay reduction to remain with Barcelona, league regulations thwarted his efforts, as the club’s payroll would have exceeded permissible limits.
On June 7, 2023, Messi unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with David Beckham’s Inter Miami MLS team, incorporating a unique agreement featuring revenue sharing from subscriptions to Apple’s coverage of the MLS season.
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Lionel Messi Salary and Contracts
During his prime at Barcelona, Lionel Messi stood as the most handsomely compensated footballer globally. In 2017, he penned a contract with Barcelona guaranteeing a base salary of $168 million, a figure kept under wraps until January 2021 when “El Mundo” leaked the contract specifics. His earlier agreement had him earning an annual base salary of $44.68 million.
In August 2021, Lionel embarked on a new chapter with Paris Saint-Germain, signing an initial two-year contract amounting to $75 million annually before taxes, approximately $40 million post-tax. This contract not only includes bonuses tied to performance milestones but also grants Messi a percentage of jersey sales.
Moreover, Messi’s earnings swell by an additional $40 million yearly through endorsements, buoyed by his lifelong partnership with Adidas. Between June 2018 and June 2019 alone, his endorsement earnings soared to a staggering $130 million. Additionally, he graced the covers of “Pro Evolution Soccer 2009” and “Pro Evolution Soccer 2011” and featured prominently alongside Fernando Torres in the promotion and motion capture for “Pro Evolution Soccer 2010.”
$1 Billion Saudi Contract
In May 2023, news surfaced about Lionel Messi being close to finalizing a staggering $1 billion agreement with an undisclosed Saudi Pro League club. Allegedly, this arrangement would grant Messi an annual salary of $400 million, a figure surpassing even the substantial 2.5-year, $535 million contract Cristiano Ronaldo agreed to with Al Nassr, a Saudi Pro League team, back in December 2022.
Inter Miami
In a recent update on June 7, 2023, it surfaced that Messi had plans to join Inter Miami, an MLS team co-owned by David Beckham. The reported agreement entails Messi earning a weekly salary of $1.03 million ($54 million annually) for a four-year duration. Adding to the intrigue, 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 and easily identifiable athletes globally, Messi has enjoyed sponsorship from Adidas since 2006, serving as their primary brand ambassador. Despite initially signing with Nike at the age of 14, he later transitioned to Adidas. By 2008, Messi had established a longstanding signature collection of Adidas boots and even garnered his own sub-brand within the Adidas line, known as Adidas Messi.
Visit Saudi Endorsement Deal
In June 2023, a leaked contract revealed that in January 2021, Lionel entered a three-year agreement to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia for a potential payout of $25 million. The terms stipulate the following:
1) Lionel must annually vacation in Saudi Arabia, accompanied by up to 20 friends, with all expenses covered, including travel and luxury accommodations, for a minimum duration of five days.
2) He is obligated to create ten social media posts per year endorsing Saudi Arabia, utilizing approved hashtags.
3) Participation in an annual tourism advertising campaign is required, such as appearing in promotional materials like last year’s Visit Saudi video.
For fulfilling obligations #2 and #3, Lionel receives $2 million each per year. Additionally, he can earn another $2 million annually for charitable endeavors.
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In total, Lionel stands to earn $25 million over the course of three years for relatively minimal effort. However, there is a caveat: The contract explicitly prohibits Lionel from making any statements that may cast Saudi Arabia in a negative light, as reported by the Times.
Early Life
Lionel Messi came into the world on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. His father, Jorge Horacio Messi, worked in a factory as a steelworker, while his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, took on part-time cleaning duties. Messi shares a tight bond with his two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and his sister, Maria Sol. Their household was often filled with soccer matches, involving not only his immediate family but also cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, who would later pursue careers as professional footballers.
At the age of six, Messi began his soccer journey by joining the Rosario soccer club and later played for Newell’s Old Boys. However, at the age of ten, he received a diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency, which strained the family’s financial resources. Despite Newell’s initial promise to assist, they reneged on their commitment. Fortunately, Carles Rexach, the Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, stepped in, offering to cover Messi’s medical expenses if he relocated to Spain. With his father’s consent, a contract was hastily drafted on a napkin, and the family made the move to Barcelona in February 2001.
They settled near Camp Nou, the club’s iconic stadium. Despite the excitement of his new journey, Messi grappled with homesickness when his mother and siblings returned to Rosario, leaving him in Barcelona with his father. Nevertheless, he persevered and was eventually enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, where he became a vital member of the illustrious “Baby Dream Team,” comprising Barcelona’s most promising young talents.
Career
At 17, Lionel debuted in the league against RCD Espanyol, becoming FC Barcelona’s third-youngest player ever. Simultaneously, he clinched the title of the youngest goal-scorer for the club. During the 2005-2006 season, he transitioned into a paid first-team member and obtained Spanish citizenship, marking his entry into the Spanish First Division league. Lionel’s inaugural match witnessed a standing ovation post his goal, sharing the spotlight with Ronaldinho. Across seventeen league matches, he netted six goals and one in six for the Champions League. Notably, he became the youngest Argentine to both play and score in the FIFA World Cup in 2006.
Following the World Cup, the 2006-2007 season saw Messi sidelined due to a three-month recovery period from a broken metatarsal. Returning against Racing Santander as a substitute, he later secured a hat trick against Real Madrid, a feat unseen since Ivan Zamorano in the El Clasico.
In the 2007-2008 season, he propelled Barcelona to the La Liga top four, earning accolades such as the FIFA ProWorld XI Player Award nomination and being named the world’s best player by Marca newspaper, igniting discussions about the Ballon d’Or. He claimed his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, followed by three consecutive wins. Additionally, he clinched an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
His 2012 performance set records in La Liga and Europe for most goals in a season, solidifying his status as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer. Despite finishing second to Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or in the subsequent seasons as Barcelona’s captain, Messi led Argentina to the World Cup finals in 2014, winning the Golden Ball. Despite announcing retirement in 2016, he guided Argentina to 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification and secured a third-place finish in the 2019 Copa America. Messi’s legacy culminated in a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019.
2022 World Cup
On December 18, Lionel and his compatriots from Argentina emerged victorious over France in the 2022 World Cup final. Excluding penalty shootouts, Lionel netted two goals during the match, which extended into overtime before culminating in a shootout.
Charity
Messi, as the founder of the Leo Messi Foundation, is dedicated to providing better opportunities for underprivileged children in terms of education and healthcare. Established in 2007 after a profound experience at a Boston children’s hospital, Messi’s foundation, in collaboration with Herbalife, supports children with medical needs by covering expenses like treatment, transportation, and recovery. Additionally, Messi has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since March 2010, undertaking field missions such as raising awareness for the plight of Haitian children after the earthquake.
Beyond his foundation, Messi actively participates in individual fundraising endeavors, including global football matches, to support various charitable causes. He generously backs youth football clubs in Argentina, such as Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Junior. Notably, at his childhood club, Newell’s, Messi financed the construction of a gym and dormitory within the stadium in 2012. Furthermore, his former coach from Newell’s now serves as a talent scout for the Messi Foundation.
In March 2020, Messi donated $1 million to combat the spread of COVID-19. Alongside his Barcelona Football Club teammates, he voluntarily accepted a 70 percent reduction in their salaries during the pandemic, ensuring that no Barcelona staff members would face wage cuts during this global crisis.
Personal Life
Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo, both natives of Rosario, have been together since 2008, having known each other since the age of five. Their relationship became public in January 2009, and they tied the knot in their hometown in June 2007.
They are now proud parents to three children: Thiago, born in 2012, Matero, born in 2015, and Ciro, born in 2018. Lionel maintains a strong bond with his immediate family, particularly his mother, whose likeness he has permanently inked on his left shoulder. Professionally, his affairs are largely managed within the family, with his father serving as his agent since Messi was 14, and his older brother Rodrigo overseeing his publicity.
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