Lionel Messi Net Worth: Is He a Billionaire?
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players to ever step onto a pitch. While the Argentinian forward has won every major trophy available in the sport, his historic career has also translated into historic financial success.
As he heads into what could be his final World Cup, Messi will be playing his 200th match when he steps onto the field against Algeria.
This landmark appearance makes him only the second male player in international football history to reach the 200-cap milestone, trailing only his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi's Net Worth, Career Earnings & Endorsements,
Messi's net worth is reported to be around $1.1 billion, according to Forbes. This places him among a very small group of athletes who have reached billionaire status while still active in their sport with his earnings coming from a mix of club salaries, long-term contracts, and commercial deals.
In 2025, he signed a three-year contract extension with Inter Miami CF to remain in Major League Soccer. He earns a base salary of about $25 million, with a cap hit of $28.3 million for the season, according to Spotrac.
His total annual income is reported to be between $70 million and $80 million. This figure includes performance-related earnings, commercial agreements, and revenue-linked deals, such as the Apple TV MLS Season Pass partnership.
A large part of his wealth also comes from endorsements. Messi has long-standing deals across sports, fashion, and consumer brands. His partners include Adidas, Budweiser, Gatorade, Pepsi, Konami, Jacob & Co., Lay's, and Hard Rock Cafe, among others.
These partnerships have played a major role in pushing his total career earnings past the billion-dollar mark.
Messi's Business Investments and Ventures
Beyond soccer and endorsements, Messi has also built a growing portfolio of business interests, which includes fashion, sports, and lifestyle.
He owns MiM Hotels, a hotel chain he launched in 2017 and also expanded into fashion with The Messi Store in 2019.
The 38-year-old then moved into media and investment in 2022 when he launched 525 Rosario and Play Time Sports-Tech Investment Firm, which focuses on sports and technology investments.
In 2023, he invested in El Club de la Milanesa, adding food service to his business interests.
More recently, Messi acquired 100% ownership of the Spanish fifth-division football club UE Cornellà on April 16, 2026. The acquisition marks his first venture into owning a European club, while staying connected to his roots in Catalonia.
Who Is Richer: Messi or Ronaldo?
The 2026 World Cup features two active soccer billionaires, as Messi's long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo is also competing.
When comparing their total wealth, Cristiano Ronaldo currently has the financial edge.
The Portuguese forward became soccer's first billionaire after moving to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in 2023 on a contract worth over $200 million per year.
Reports from Bloomberg indicate the Portuguese star has earned over $550 million in career wages across stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr.
His wealth is further boosted by a lifetime Nike contract and his global CR7 brand, which includes hotels, apparel, and gyms.
Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 8:45 PM.