The Argentina captain has showcased phenomenal skills at the World Cup, currently topping the Golden Boot race with eight goals. Before the quarter-finals, during the round of 16 match against Egypt, where he did not score, Messi assisted Cristian Romero and netted the equaliser, allowing Argentina to recover from a 2-0 deficit to triumph 3-2 and secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Messi leads the goal-scoring rankings, ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland, who each have seven goals, while England’s captain Harry Kane trails with six.
Messi’s net worth surpasses $1.1 billion
As reported by Forbes, Messi’s net worth is approximated at $1.1 billion (around ₹10,590 crore), while his career earnings have exceeded $1.8 billion (approximately ₹17,329 crore).
At 39 years old, he joins a select group of active athletes who have achieved billionaire status, alongside longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, golfer Tiger Woods, and NBA superstar LeBron James.
What is Messi’s income?
Messi is estimated to earn about $70 million (approximately ₹674 crore) annually just from endorsements and commercial partnerships.
His contract with Inter Miami features a base salary of $25 million (approximately ₹241 crore) per year, with guaranteed earnings totaling $28.3 million (approximately ₹272 crore) annually.
The Argentine also secured a signing bonus upon his arrival at the MLS club and has a distinctive arrangement that grants him an equity interest in Inter Miami once his playing days conclude.
Endorsements fueling Messi’s wealth
A substantial portion of Messi’s wealth is derived from worldwide sponsorship agreements.
His longest-running partnership is with Adidas, which began in 2006 and evolved into a lifetime contract in 2017. Reports indicate the deal secures him approximately $25 million (around ₹241 crore) each year.
In addition, Messi acts as a global ambassador for brands such as PepsiCo, Hard Rock International, and Mastercard, while his enduring collaboration with Konami’s football video game franchise has further bolstered his commercial portfolio.
Apple deal reshaped MLS earnings
An innovative feature of Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami in 2023 was his revenue-sharing agreement with Apple.
Rather than depending solely on his salary, Messi gains a portion of the revenue generated from new subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The effects were immediate, as reports indicated that over 110,000 new subscribers signed up on his debut day with Inter Miami, compared to just over 6,000 the day before.
Messi commenced his professional career at Barcelona, joining the esteemed La Masia academy before making his senior debut in 2004.
During his remarkable time in Spain, he collected 35 major trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League victories, before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 due to Barcelona’s financial constraints preventing contract renewal.
On the international front, Messi has solidified his legacy by winning two Copa América titles and leading Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ending a 36-year wait for the nation’s greatest football honor.
As he aims for another World Cup title in 2026, Messi continues to enhance a legacy that is paralleled only by the extraordinary fortune he has garnered both on and off the pitch.
