Let’s take a look at Lionel Messi’s net worth! For those who don’t know, Messi is one of the best football players ever, and his net worth shows how great he is. Come with us as we reveal this soccer star’s roaring rise to fame and wealth, looking at the money-making opportunities off the field that have helped him get there. From impressive goals to intelligent business moves, see how Lionel Messi’s net worth has grown and has left an economic legacy as one of the best football players ever.
What is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth Today?
Messi was born in Argentina and is a professional athlete. He is worth $650 million. Many people think that Lionel Messi is the best soccer player in the world and one of the best. He is one of the best-paid players ever, if not the best-paid player ever.
Lionel Messi made most of his early money because he played striker and winger for FC Barcelona. From when he was a teenager until 2021, he played for Barcelona. Lionel scored 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona. On August 10, 2021, there was news that Lionel would be moving from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Besides that, he plays for the Uruguay National Team. Brazil beat Argentina to win the World Cup on December 18, 2022.
Lionel Messi likely makes more money than any other athlete in the world. He is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world overall. Messi’s record-breaking deal with Barcelona in 2017 paid him an average of $168 million yearly.
He also makes about $40 million a year from endorsements. With that contract, he was making about $200 million a year. If you read something wrong, you might think that Lionel Messi is a billionaire, but he’s not. By the time his deal with Barcelona was up, Lionel had made more than $1.3 billion through endorsements. Since we started keeping track, he has made about $900 million from his salary and $400 million from endorsements. Some news outlets got that number wrong and called him a “billionaire.”
Early Life
Lionel Messi was born in June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. He grew up in a very close family. From a young age, he loved football when he played with his siblings and cousins. He joined the local club Grandoli when he was only four years old, and his father coached him there. Going to practice and games with him and his grandmother Celia was a big part of how he developed his love for the sport. Tragically, she died before Messi turned eleven, which had a big impact on him. As a devout Roman Catholic, he still honors her memory.
Messi quickly became famous after joining Newell’s Old Boys when he was six years old. He scored nearly 500 goals and showed off his skills to cheering crowds. But when he was ten, doctors told him he didn’t have enough growth hormone, which meant he couldn’t play football anymore. Even though it was hard for them financially, other teams saw how talented Messi was, but he chose to stay with Newell’s.
When he was younger, Messi looked up to football greats like Ronaldo and Pablo Aimar and copied how they played. Messi had a rough start, but his determination and persistence helped him become one of the best football players ever. Coming from nothing to becoming a worldwide star is an amazing story showing his passion and dedication to the sport.
Football Career
✅Barcelona
2003-2005
Lionel Messi quickly moved up the ranks at Barcelona during the 2003–04 season, making his debut for four youth teams in that one season. For Juvenile B, he did very well in international pre-season tournaments. He quickly moved to the Juveniles A and scored 18 goals in 11 league games. Notably, Messi’s great performances in first-team practice caught the attention of his teammates.
Messi’s first game with the first team was a friendly against Porto on November 16, 2003. He came on as a substitute in the 75th minute and did a great job setting up plays. Since then, he has trained regularly with Barcelona B and sometimes with the first team. Ronaldinho’s arrival made it even easier for Messi to fit in with the team, and the Brazilian star predicted that Messi would be great in the future.
Messi also played for Barcelona C to get more game experience. He scored five goals in ten games and helped them stay in the Tercera División. It had a buyout clause that rose to €80 million when he debuted for Barcelona B in March. Even though his age and size made things hard for him physically, Messi scored 36 goals across all competitions by the end of the season.
Messi’s role on the B team grew during the 2004–05 season. In October 2004, he made his league debut for the first team as a substitute against Espanyol. He played his first game for Barcelona when he was 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, making him the youngest player to do so. Messi showed what he could do with impressive performances even though he didn’t get much playing time.
2005-2008
Messi signed his first professional contract on his 18th birthday. It made his buyout clause €150 million and kept him with the club until 2010. During the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 24, he started for the first time and played well against Juventus, which got cheers from the Camp Nou crowd. Messi chose to stay with Barcelona even though clubs like Juventus and Inter Milan made him attractive offers.
Messi missed the beginning of the 2005–06 La Liga season because of problems with his legal status. He later became a Spanish citizen and was able to play. He became the team’s first-choice right winger while wearing the number 19 shirt. Along with Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o, he made a strong attacking trio. Messi showed how good he was by scoring eight goals in 25 games, including his first Champions League goal against Panathinaikos, even though he tore his hamstring in a game against Chelsea.
Messi proved that he was one of the best players in the world by scoring 17 goals in 36 games across all competitions in the following season, 2006–07. But he couldn’t play for three months because he broke his metatarsal. Messi made a big difference, even when he wasn’t playing. His hat-trick in a Clásico against Real Madrid was especially impressive. His pay went up a lot because of how well he played, and people started comparing him to the great Diego Maradona.
The media called Messi “Messiah” because he became Barcelona’s star player when he was only 20. Messi scored 16 goals in 2007–08, even though injuries slowed him down near the end of the season. However, Barcelona won no major awards at the end of the season. They came in third in the league and didn’t make it to the Champions League final.
2008-2010
After Rijkaard and Ronaldinho left Barcelona, Messi got the highly-coveted number 10 shirt and a big contract, making him the highest-paid player at the club. Messi’s play got a lot better under new manager Pep Guardiola. During the 2008–09 season, he scored 38 goals in 51 games.
In particular, he debuted as a false nine in the Clásico, a big part of Barcelona’s historic 6–2 win over Real Madrid. As Barcelona won the Copa del Rey and La Liga, he showed how versatile and good he was at scoring goals. Messi was also very important to Barcelona’s win in the Champions League. He scored the winning shot in the final against Manchester United, securing the treble for the club.
Barcelona won an unprecedented sextuple in 2009, winning six major trophies in one year. Messi was a big part of that success. He won both the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year awards, which made him one of the best players in the world. Messi had some problems playing on the right wing but learned how to deal with them and kept doing great, scoring 47 goals across all competitions.
He also became Barcelona’s all-time top scorer in the Champions League and won his first European Golden Shoe. Messi’s amazing goal-scoring made him one of the best players in the world, even though Barcelona didn’t make it to the Champions League semifinals.
2010-2012
Messi led Barcelona to victory in the 2010–11 season, winning the Supercopa de España and helping them beat Real Madrid 5–0, a record. He kept up his great play with 16 straight league wins and another hat-trick, which helped Barcelona win their third straight La Liga title. Despite criticism of Argentina’s 2010 FIFA World Cup performance, Messi won the Ballon d’Or for his brilliance.
Messi became more important during the 2011–12 season when he scored an amazing 73 goals and set up 29 others across all competitions. He won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award and the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the third time. Messi scored five goals against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, making him Barcelona’s all-time top scorer at 24. But Barcelona had problems. They lost the league to Real Madrid and didn’t make it out of the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Messi scored 73 goals in all competitions, which set a new European record for the most goals scored in a season. Messi continued to set records while playing for Barcelona under Tito Vilanova. He became the club’s all-time top scorer in La Liga and set a new record for most goals in a calendar year. Even though Barcelona had a rough season in 2012–13, Messi’s ability to lead and score goals remained unmatched. He signed a new contract with the club and became captain for the first time.
2013-2015
Messi returned to his old problems with muscle injuries after four seasons with few injuries. Even though he strained his hamstring in April, he was very important to Barcelona’s Champions League run, which took them to the semi-finals.
But Barcelona’s “Messidependencia,” or dependence on Messi, was clear, especially in important games. Constant injury worries didn’t stop Messi from breaking records and scoring goals; he ended the 2012–13 season with 60 goals in all competitions.
There were questions about Messi’s form the next season, but he still reached important milestones, like becoming Barcelona’s all-time top scorer and the game’s top scorer. Even with his success, Barcelona did not win any major trophies at the end of the season.
Messi’s dedication to the team was clear when he signed a new deal despite rumors about his future. Messi and Barcelona returned to life in the 2014–15 season when the “MSN” attacking trio came together. Messi’s return to the right-wing helped him get back to playing his best, which led to a record-breaking number of goals.
Messi was very important in both competitions for Barcelona, which won La Liga and the Copa del Rey. He also did well in the Champions League, which earned him praise and helped Barcelona win the historic treble. UEFA Best Player in Europe was one of the awards Messi received for his outstanding season.
2016-2021
From 2016 to 2021, Lionel Messi was the perfect example of sustained excellence. He had a huge effect on the world of football. Messi changed the records at FC Barcelona by scoring more goals than anyone else in club history, leading them to many La Liga and Copa del Rey titles. He was among the best players ever because of his amazing dribbling, vision, and clinical finishing.
Messi had heartbreak in big tournaments like the Copa America and World Cup finals, even though he had problems with the Argentina national team. He never wavered in his love for his couAntry, though, and he played a key role for Argentina by scoring and setting up important goals.
Individually, Messi collected accolades, winning multiple Ballon d’Or awards during this period, reaffirming his dominance in world football. His playing style changed over time, showing his flexibility and adaptability on the field. Messi still scored amazing goals but played a more important role as a playmaker, planning attacks and making chances for his teammates.
Off the pitch, Messi transcended football, using his platform for philanthropic endeavors and charitable work and positively impacting society. Because he was humble, professional, and dedicated to doing his best, he gained millions of fans worldwide, making him a football legend and a role model for future generations. During his career from 2016 to 2021, Messi was consistent and brilliant, and he left a lasting legacy.
✅Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi had a big effect on Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from August 2021 to June 2023, when he played for them. So he could remember his early days at Barcelona; he chose to wear the number 30 jersey when he first started playing for the team. In his first game, he scored his first goal in a win over Reims. In the Champions League, it was against Manchester City. Messi showed how good he was by scoring his first Ligue 1 goal against Nantes and setting up many others, including a hat-trick against Saint-Étienne. He won a record-setting seventh Ballon d’Or at the end of an amazing year.
Messi did have problems, though. He tested positive for COVID-19, and some PSG fans were mean to him after they lost in the Champions League. Despite these problems, he was very important in helping PSG win their 10th Ligue 1 title, and his 700th club goal came against Marseille. Messi did more than score goals; he also recorded his 300th career club assist and passed Cristiano Ronaldo as Europe’s top scorer in club games.
While Messi was at PSG, there was still a lot of controversy. Taking an unapproved trip got him in trouble with the club and led to rumors about his future there. Messi finally left PSG after winning his second straight Ligue 1 title. He left as the player with the most goals in Europe’s top five leagues, and a short but important part of PSG’s history ended when he left.
✅Inter Miami
Lionel Messi considered rejoining Barcelona and Al-Hilal after leaving PSG. Finally, he joined Inter Miami of MLS. Inter Miami teased Messi’s signing on social media before he confirmed it in a Mundo Deportivo-Sport interview. He refused to return to Barcelona even though La Liga wanted him to because he didn’t have enough money, and reorganizing the team would be too difficult.
On July 15, 2023, Messi signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami. They introduced him to fans alongside former Barcelona player Sergio Busquets at a live-streamed event. Messi’s 2023 contract included a $12 million base salary and guaranteed $20.4 million. Selling jerseys, MLS Season Passes, and club shares would also help him make money.
Messi scored in his first game for Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul. He continued his strong play, scoring nine goals in his first six games and helping the team win their first League Cup in 2023 against Nashville SC.
Messi ended Inter Miami’s eleven-game league winless streak with a late goal against the New York Red Bulls in his first MLS game on August 26. He was named Goal of the Matchday for his play. On October 30, Messi won his record-setting eighth Ballon d’Or after Argentina won the World Cup and PSG won Ligue 1. He scored 11 goals in 14 games for Inter Miami in his first season. Messi won Time Athlete of the Year and The Best FIFA Men’s Player for a record third time in 2023 for his achievements. It was his most FIFPRO Men’s World 11 appearances (17 straight).
International Football Career
Lionel Messi’s international football career has shown how talented he is on a global level, but it has also been hard for his team. Messi quickly became a star player for Argentina, from his time on the youth teams to his debut with the senior team in 2005. Even though he has done well with Barcelona, he has had difficulty winning major international titles.
Messi won an Olympic gold medal with Argentina in Beijing in 2008. He did, however, keep trying to win a senior international trophy. He made it to the Copa America final again in 2015 and 2016, but both times he lost. In the 2016 final against Chile, he missed a crucial penalty in the shootout, which cost his team the game.
Messi has never wavered in his dedication to the national team, even when things go wrong. Despite the high expectations that came with the job, he has led Argentina through many World Cup and Copa America tournaments. Messi finally made it big when he led Argentina to victory in the Copa America in 2021. It was their first major trophy in 28 years. Messi was the star of the tournament. He scored four goals, including two important ones in the knockout stages, and was named Player of the Tournament.
Messi has become one of the greatest football players ever with his win in the Copa America. This is true for his club career and his work with the Argentine national team. Messi’s hard work and skill have left an indelible mark on the international football stage, despite challenges and close calls.
Salary and Contracts
Lionel Messi was the world’s best-paid soccer player when he played his best for Barcelona. He agreed to work for Barcelona until 2022; his base salary was $168 million. He kept his contract numbers a secret for a few years, but in January 2021, the Spanish newspaper El Mundo published the details of the leaked contract. In a previous job, his base salary was $44.68 million a year.
Léo signed with Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. His first contract is for two years, and he pays $75 million yearly before taxes and about $40 million after taxes. Messi can also get extra money as a bonus if he meets certain goals and a share of the profits from selling jerseys.
Messi makes an extra $40 million a year from endorsements. He has a lifetime deal with Adidas. His pay was huge, at $130 million between June 2018 and June 2019. Messi has been on the covers of Pro Evolution Soccer ’09 and Pro Evolution Soccer ’11 video games. The faces of the Pro Evolution Soccer ’10 are him and Fernando Torres. They also helped make the trailer and did motion capture.
Achievements and Awards
Lionel Messi has done amazing things in his career, solidifying his place as one of the best football players ever. He did amazing things, from his early years at Barcelona’s La Masia academy to breaking records with the Argentine national team. Messi’s story is full of amazing achievements.
Messi’s resume at FC Barcelona is full of records. He scored more goals than anyone else in club history, going over 700 career goals and 500 La Liga goals. Messi helped Barcelona win many Spanish titles, such as La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España. In addition, he has won the UEFA Champions League more than once and has been named the tournament’s top scorer more than once.
While winning the Ballon d’Or seven times, Messi holds the record for most wins by a single player. He has also won many awards, including FIFA World Player of the Year, UEFA Best Player in Europe, and the Golden Shoe for being Europe’s top scorer.
Messi has done great things on the international stage, like leading Argentina to victory in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 and winning an Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008. Even though he had some problems initially, Messi was very important to Argentina’s win at the 2021 Copa America, his first major international trophy with the senior team.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s net worth shows how successful he has been and how popular he is worldwide as one of football’s biggest stars. Messi has become rich through his unmatched talent, dedication, and ability to sell himself. He came from a humble background in Rosario, Argentina, and now holds many records on the field.
Messi has made a lot of money from things other than playing football. He has endorsement deals, sponsorships, and investments that pay well. Being associated with top brands and being famous worldwide have made him even richer. He is now a football superstar and a well-known figure in business and marketing.
Messi’s net worth will rise as he continues to amaze people with his amazing skills and achievements. This will solidify his place as one of his time’s most famous and wealthy athletes. Besides his stats, Messi’s influence on the sport and his charitable work makes him even more of a role model and a symbol of excellence both on and off the field.