Lionel Messi, a titan on the pitch and a mogul in the making, has seamlessly transitioned from his lucrative tenure at Paris Saint-Germain to the promising shores of Inter Miami. With Messi net worth already commanding immense respect in the sports world, this strategic move is not just a play in his illustrious football career but a potential game-changer in his financial narrative.
Estimates suggest Messi’s net worth could soar to an astonishing $1 billion, marking his journey from Barcelona to PSG, and now to Inter Miami, as a testament to a sports icon whose financial acumen rivals his unparalleled skills on the field. From his extensive assets and charity work to this latest high-profile transfer, Messi’s financial journey continues to be as dynamic and awe-inspiring as his football legacy.
Presently, Lionel Messi’s net worth is believed to be approximately $600 million, solidifying his status as one of the globe’s richest athletes.
Building Messi’s Empire: Tracing the Roots of His Net Worth at Barcelona
In the high-octane world of professional football, player salaries often make headlines, and Lionel Messi’s stint at Barcelona was no exception. This period was crucial in building Messi’s net worth. Starting in 2017, when Lionel Messi was a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, his annual salary at Barcelona skyrocketed to an astounding $77 million. Including various bonuses and contractual terms, his total compensation reached a staggering $650 million over four years after his 2017 contract renewal, as detailed by El Mundo.
Beyond his base salary, the deal included an extraordinary $135 million signing bonus and a hefty $91 million loyalty bonus. These significant additions played a pivotal role in boosting Lionel Messi’s net worth, which was reported to be around $500 million for 2021, showcasing the financial prowess of one of football’s greatest players.
Boosting Messi’s Net Worth: The PSG Effect
Lionel Messi’s 2021 transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) significantly impacted his net worth. His annual salary at PSG was reportedly $41 million, including bonuses, under a two-year agreement with an option for a third. The Athletic revealed a near $30-million signing bonus, while Forbes noted Messi’s income from PSG would also include earnings from player image rights and jersey sales, potentially raising his annual PSG salary to around $75 million.
Decision of the Decade: Messi’s 2023 Team Switch
In the summer of 2023, Lionel Messi’s journey took an unexpected turn. Leaving PSG, he contemplated a nostalgic return to Barcelona, his football home for 21 years since his youth. However, circumstances prevented this heartfelt reunion. As of June 2023, there were still rumors circulating about Lionel Messi’s potential return to Barcelona.
This pivotal decision in Messi’s career, affecting his net worth and legacy, unfolds with more details in our exclusive article. Discover the reasons behind Messi’s choice and the factors that influenced his move away from Barcelona:
The transfer saga of Lionel Messi in 2023 was a high-stakes game. Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr move, Messi received an even more lucrative offer from Al Hilal, which had signed Neymar. Al Hilal upped the ante significantly, offering Messi a salary that soared past an incredible $1.6 billion, eclipsing Inter Miami’s bid. Despite the astronomical figures on the table, Messi ultimately chose to reject Al Hilal’s offer, a decision that spoke volumes about his priorities and had a significant impact on Messi’s net worth.
At first glance, Messi’s Inter Miami salary might seem modest compared to the staggering offer from Al Hilal. However, the intricacies of his contract with Inter Miami include elements that could, in the long run, yield financial gains surpassing those of Al Hilal’s proposal. This strategic aspect highlights the depth of Messi’s approach to his career and net worth, reflecting a foresight in maximizing long-term financial benefits.
Messi’s Magical Impact: From Debut to Leagues Cup Glory with Inter Miami
Messi’s value became immediately evident as he made his debut for Inter Miami. In the final moments of the Leagues Cup match, during stoppage time, he propelled Inter Miami forward with a spectacular free-kick goal. Then, with 10 goals in 7 matches, he led the team all the way to victory in the Leagues Cup, securing the club’s first-ever cup in its history.
Messi’s Financial Windfall with Inter Miami
In the competitive sphere of Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is a landmark agreement. It not only boosts Messi’s net worth with a $12 million base salary but also sets a new benchmark in the league with his total compensation exceeding $20.4 million annually, making him the highest-paid player in MLS. This contract underscores Messi’s exceptional market value.
Building a Billion-Dollar Empire
Messi’s financial journey with Inter Miami goes beyond his salary. Aside from his substantial salary, Messi is also rumored to be negotiating an ownership stake in the club, adding a significant component to his financial package. This move, along with potential lucrative endorsements and rights deals with companies like Apple and Adidas, could propel the overall worth of Messi’s involvement with Inter Miami to an estimated $125 to $150 million, significantly enhancing Messi’s net worth.
Inter Miami’s Historic Deal: Elevating Messi Net Worth
Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is a game-changer, marking the most significant deal in the 27-year history of MLS. His unique contract includes a salary close to $60 million per year, incorporating a stake in Inter Miami and a substantial signing bonus. Running from July 2023 to December 2025, the deal also prohibits Messi from joining a European team on loan, focusing his presence in MLS.
Key terms of the contract include an option for Messi to gain part-ownership of Inter Miami. Additionally, Messi is set to receive a share of revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass streaming service, as well as a percentage from Adidas’ kit sales. These innovative terms not only enhance Messi’s net worth but also signify a new era in player contracts within the league.
Adidas Scrambles as Messi Jerseys Fly Off Shelves
Amid the surging Messi mania in the US following his arrival, Lionel Messi’s net worth is poised for a significant boost. The fervor has led to a surge in demand for Messi’s jerseys, so much so that Adidas is struggling to keep up with production. Even David Beckham had to wait for his Messi jersey. Inter Miami, adapting to the demand, has resorted to selling previous years’ jerseys with Messi’s name. This overwhelming demand hints at the potentially lucrative outcome of Messi’s deals, further amplifying his financial impact.
Messi’s Midas Touch: Skyrocketing Subscriptions on MLS Season Pass
According to CNN, the ‘Messi Effect’ on Apple’s MLS Season Pass, a streaming package for soccer matches, was profound. The service saw a staggering 1,690% increase in sign-ups on the day Messi debuted for Inter Miami. The data revealed a jump from around 6,000 subscriptions the day before to 110,000 on July 21, his first game. This surge is highlighted as unique by analytics firm Antenna, contrasting with the typical pattern of gradual sign-up increases throughout a season.
The ‘Messi Effect’ in the US, marked by an unprecedented demand for his jerseys and a significant surge in MLS Season Pass subscriptions, highlights Lionel Messi’s immense market influence and the potential for a substantial increase in Messi’s net worth. The sell-out of Adidas Messi jerseys and the remarkable 1,690% jump in streaming subscriptions on his Inter Miami debut day demonstrate his powerful impact on merchandise sales and digital viewership, contributing to an expanding financial footprint in the sports industry.
Messi’s Financial Play: Navigating a Pay Cut Yet Remaining Among Football’s Elite Earners
Messi’s salary in his new contract marks a decrease from his previous salary with Paris Saint-Germain, yet he still outpaces most European football players in terms of earnings.
Messi’s earnings, in contrast to players moving to Saudi Arabian teams, have noticeably diminished. His position is expected to slide further as more high-profile players join the ranks alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite a significant reduction in his new agreement, Messi continues to be among the top five highest-paid footballers, though his income now trails behind Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr and Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad.
Top Earning Footballers in 2023
| Rank | Player | Club | Estimated Annual Salary | Estimated Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | $213 million | $18 million |
| 2. | Karim Benzema | Al Ittihad | $211 million | $17.5 million |
| 3. | Kylian Mbappe | PSG | $110 million | $10 million |
| 4. | Neymar | PSG | $55 million | $4 million |
| 5. | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | $54 million | $4.1 million |
Unlocking His Wealth: How Messi’s Net Worth Compares to Other Active Players
Lionel Messi’s net worth stands as the highest among today’s active players. When compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth of 500 million, Messi leads by a substantial 100 million. He also surpasses Neymar, whose net worth is 250 million. However, as our recent post on the world’s wealthiest players reveals, there is one active player who exceeds Messi in wealth. Discover who rivals Messi’s net worth by checking out our latest findings.