Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all time. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that he is one of the wealthiest athletes on the planet. What is Lionel Messi’s net worth in 2023? Who is Lionel Messi sponsored by? How much is Messi’s salary per year? In today’s article, we will try to come up with all the answers to the questions you might have had regarding Messi’s finances.
What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth?
| Year | Value |
| 2023 | £1 Billion |
| 2022 | £850 million |
| 2021 | £800 million |
| 2020 | £650 million |
How much is Lionel Messi worth? The Argentine has an estimated net worth of £1 billion in 2023. We have used the word “estimated” because Messi is very private about his financial situation. His representatives work around the clock to keep his financial information safe from the prying eyes of the media.
After his triumph in the World Cup in 2022 with Argentina, his stock only increased in value.
In 2019, Forbes placed Lionel Messi first on the list of highest-earning celebrities in the world. Even though Cristiano Ronaldo has a higher net worth than him, Lionel Messi had trumped his arch-rival in annual revenues that year. Lionel Messi’s yearly income was $127 million in 2019, while Ronaldo made $109 million and Neymar banked $105 million.
Lionel Messi Salary
Lionel Messi is set to make his MLS debut, as he signs with Inter Miami in a deal valued at up to £120 million ($150 million) over two-and-a-half years, with the possibility of additional compensation from MLS partners Adidas and Apple—an ample sum for his endeavours, including grocery trips to Publix.
This Miami agreement marks the latest addition to Messi’s illustrious career, characterized by blockbuster paydays both on and off the field.
By the conclusion of 2025, Messi’s career earnings are projected to soar to an impressive £1.3 billion ($1.6 billion), comprising playing salaries, bonuses, and endorsements. His financial accomplishments place him among the top five highest-earning athletes in the history of sports.
Breaking down the specifics of Messi’s Miami contract, it translates to an annual income ranging from £40 million ($50 million) to £50 million ($60 million), encompassing his salary, signing bonus, and equity stake in the team.
This puts him in the same league as the highest-paid NBA and NFL athletes. For context, two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic currently commands an average annual salary of $55 million, while the 2019 NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson, earns $52 million annually.
His former club FC Barcelona deal, Lionel Messi’s weekly wage is in the ranks of the world’s best-paid sports personalities. It will also keep Lionel Messi’s net worth incredibly high over the coming years. How much does Messi make a week? Reports claim that the number is in the vicinity of £500,000 or $610,000 a week after taxes.
Lionel Messi’s 2018 salary breakdown reveals that he was making £336,000 before signing his new Barcelona deal. That amount is still a mouthwatering one, but it dwarfs in comparison to his current salary package. However, his current deal will expire at the end of the ongoing season. As of now, the Catalans didn’t offer him an improved contract.
Barcelona is desperate to keep hold of their talisman, but the club’s current financial state is holding them back to offer Messi an even more lucrative contract. An investigative report from El Mundo claimed that the club has an outstanding level of debt amounting to $1.4 billion. To tackle their financial woes, the Blaugrana is trying to trim their wage bill.
Without considering other sources of revenue, Lionel Messi’s yearly earnings are in the region of £119 million. He has also received renewal fees and loyalty bonuses from the club. Upon signing his new contract, Barcelona paid him almost a hundred million pounds only in renewal fees.
Since 2017, Messi has earned £473 million from Barcelona. But he has also been a great source of income for the club. We will explore that aspect in more detail in the following section. Is Lionel Messi as important for Barcelona off the pitch as he is on it? Let’s take a closer at the numbers.
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Who Is Lionel Messi Sponsored By?
Lionel Messi has a long list of sponsors ranging from German sportswear giants Adidas to Qatarian telecommunication company Ooredoo. So, it would be impossible to mention all parties affiliated with the Barcelona captain. However, the most significant sponsorship deal he has is the lifetime contract he has with Adidas, which brings him £71 million per year.
Messi announced his Adidas deal months after news broke that Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed on a long term deal with Nike worth a billion dollars. Pepsi, Gillette, Turkish Airlines, Huawei, and Gatorade are some of the other brands that endorse Lionel Messi. Apart from Adidas, Lionel Messi reportedly rakes in £27 million per year in sponsorship money.
Businesses
Many high-profile athletes introduce their own line of products and monetise the huge fan following they have built over the years. In terms of popularity, Messi doesn’t have much competition. He is a familiar name around the globe, but he didn’t take the route of pushing his own merchandise.
His off-the-pitch ventures are more run-of-the-mill than you might have thought of. Messi has invested in real estate in his hometown of Rosario in Argentina. He has financed many residential projects across the town. We don’t have concrete information on his other ventures, but reports suggest he has other business interests as well.
Lionel Messi Tax Fraud Accusations
In 2016, a Spanish court found Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge Messi, guilty of evading tax payments worth €4.1 million between 2007 and 2009. As punishment, Messi received a 21-month prison sentence, while his father received a 15-month prison sentence. The Spanish authority found proof of the duo manipulating image right revenue figures.
Messi’s lawyers succeeded in settling with the authorities. As a result, the court suspended both Messi’s and his father’s prison sentences. In exchange for jail time, Messi had to pay out a total fine of €3.5 million. He also had to pay €5 million to pay off his due tax with interest.
Charities
Lionel Messi has his own charity foundation that works around the planet to make lives better for the unfortunate. At his wedding, Messi requested the guests to make donations to the Lionel Messi Foundation instead of bringing gifts to the ceremony. He has been working with UNICEF since 2004. In 2010, the organisation made him an ambassador.
Final Say
Lionel Messi’s net worth reflects his status as one of the richest footballers in the world. But, he has also been a financially profitable asset for his club. He will continue to make big money after hanging up his boots from the high-paying Adidas football boots deal he has secured for the remainder of his lifetime.
