Argentina legend Lionel Messi has reportedly surpassed the $1billion net worth mark, cementing his place among the world’s wealthiest athletes and joining long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in football’s exclusive billionaire rank.
- +The $1B Elite: Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo in football’s billionaire ranks
According to Bloomberg, the 38-year-old former Barcelona playmaker has earned over $700 million in salaries and bonuses since making his professional debut in 2007.
According to Bloomberg, the 38-year-old former Barcelona playmaker has earned over $700 million in salaries and bonuses since making his professional debut in 2007.
After accounting for taxes, sponsorship earnings, investments, and market performance, Messi’s net worth has now crossed the $1 billion threshold on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The financial milestone places the Argentine alongside Ronaldo, who became football’s first billionaire following his lucrative move to Al-Nassr FC in 2023.
Ronaldo has become football’s first billionaire player, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo’s commercially driven rise, Messi’s wealth has grown more measuredly, guided closely by his family and trusted advisers.
Messi turned down a reported $400 million-per-year offer from Saudi Arabia before opting to join Inter Miami CF, insisting that money was never the deciding factor in his career choices.
Instead, his move to the MLS side significantly boosted both his personal earnings and the club’s global profile. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas revealed the World Cup winner earns between $70 million and $80 million annually through salary, equity options, and revenue-sharing agreements linked to Apple TV.
The club’s valuation has since surged to $1.45 billion, making Inter Miami the most valuable football franchise in the United States and among the top-valued clubs globally.
Beyond football, Messi has built an extensive investment portfolio under the guidance of his father, Jorge Messi and banker Alfonso Nebot Armisen. His business interests include real estate, hotels, commercial properties, and a $232 million trust listed in Spain.
The Argentine captain has also expanded into the food and beverage sector with the launch of the Mas+ by Messi sports drink and investments in Argentine restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa.
With his playing career approaching its final years, Messi has already begun laying the foundations for life after football. He recently acquired Spanish lower-division side UE Cornella and also owns a stake in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM alongside former teammate Luis Suárez.
His family additionally operates Los Leones in Rosario, further strengthening Messi’s long-term connection to the sport beyond his playing days.
