Lionel Messi Net Worth
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional soccer forward for Inter Miami CF with a net worth of $1.1 billion. He won eight Ballon d’Or awards and captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In 2026, Forbes ranked Messi as the third highest-paid athlete in global sports after earning $140 million in a single calendar year.
| Full Name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $1.1 billion |
| Born | June 24, 1987 |
| Age | 39 |
| Birthplace | Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Occupation | Professional Soccer Player |
| Source of Wealth | Professional Soccer, Endorsements, Commercial Investments |
| Annual Earnings | $70 million |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Spouse / Partner | Antonela Roccuzzo |
| Children | 3 |
| Last Updated | October 6, 2026 |
| Social Profiles |
Who Is Lionel Messi?
Lionel AndrĂ©s Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. He began playing for Newell’s Old Boys in 1995 before relocating to Spain at age 13 to enroll in FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia. Barcelona sporting director Charly Rexach agreed to finance treatments for his growth hormone deficiency, formalizing the initial commitment on a paper napkin in December 2000.
Messi made his competitive senior debut for Barcelona in October 2004 during a La Liga match against Espanyol at age 17. Over the next two decades, he captured ten La Liga championships, four UEFA Champions League titles, and guided the Argentina national team to victory at the 2021 Copa América in Rio de Janeiro before winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Lusail.
How Did Lionel Messi Build His Fortune?
Messi spent 17 seasons in FC Barcelona’s first team between 2004 and 2021, scoring 672 goals in 778 competitive appearances. In the 2011–2012 season, he set an all-time European record by scoring 73 goals in all competitions, including 50 in La Liga. During his tenure at Camp Nou, he collected 35 official trophies, winning his first Ballon d’Or in December 2009 and his sixth in December 2019 under club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Financial regulations in La Liga forced Messi to depart Barcelona in August 2021, leading him to sign a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain in France. He scored 32 goals in 75 games for Paris Saint-Germain, securing two Ligue 1 titles in 2022 and 2023. On the international stage, Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, scoring seven goals and winning the Golden Ball award before collecting his eighth Ballon d’Or in Paris in October 2023.
In July 2023, Messi signed a contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF co-owned by David Beckham and Jorge Mas. He won the 2023 Leagues Cup title within two months of his arrival in Fort Lauderdale and captured the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. In 2025, Messi led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title, and in October 2025, he signed an extension keeping him in South Florida through December 2028.
How Does Lionel Messi Make Money?
Messi generated $1.8 billion in career earnings between 2004 and 2026 across professional club salaries, performance bonuses, commercial endorsements, and equity agreements with Major League Soccer and commercial partners.
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|
| FC Barcelona Contracts & Bonuses (2004–2021) | $890 million | |
| Commercial Endorsements & Global Sponsorships | $580 million | |
| Paris Saint-Germain Salaries & Signing Bonus (2021–2023) | $110 million | |
| Inter Miami Compensation & MLS Revenue Shares (2023–2026) | $140 million | |
| Real Estate REIT & Business Venture Distributions | $80 million | |
| Total Career Earnings | $1.8 billion | 100% |
ⓘAll figures are estimates compiled from publicly available information and are reviewed and updated regularly by the NetWorthTRP research team.
Lionel Messi Net Worth Over the Years
Messi became a billionaire in June 2026 after his net worth expanded from $600 million in 2021, driven by high-value contracts with Paris Saint-Germain and equity stakes tied to Inter Miami.
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $600 Million | Signs a two-year playing contract with Paris Saint-Germain following his Barcelona departure. |
| 2022 | $650 Million | Earns major championship performance payouts after captaining Argentina to the 2022 World Cup trophy |
| 2023 | $750 Million | Secures landmark Inter Miami contract featuring direct profit splits with Apple TV and Adidas |
| 2024 | $850 Million | Floats Spanish real estate investment trust Edificio Rostower Socimi at a $282 million valuation |
| 2025 | $980 Million | Collects championship bonuses after leading Inter Miami CF to the 2025 MLS Cup title |
| 2026 | $1.1 Billion | Crosses billionaire status following an Inter Miami contract extension and global endorsements |
Lionel Messi's Houses, Cars & Assets
Messi holds high-value physical and corporate assets in Spain, the United States, and Argentina, including luxury residential estates, a commercial hotel portfolio, a private Gulfstream jet, and team equity shares.
| Type | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Property | Edificio Rostower Socimi REIT holding six MiM boutique hotels in Sitges, Ibiza, Mallorca, and Andorra | $180 million |
| Sports Team | Option stake in Inter Miami CF valued at $1.35 billion, plus ownership of UE CornellĂ and Deportivo LSM | $135 million |
| Property | Waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Castelldefels estate in Barcelona, and Sunny Isles luxury condos | $65 million |
| Vehicle | Classic and sports collection including Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti and Pagani Zonda Tricolore | $45 million |
| Private Jet | Gulfstream V private business aircraft customized with jersey number 10 on the tail fin | $15 million |
| Cash & Liquid Holdings | Sovereign treasury holdings, diversified equity indexes, and private banking reserves | $450 million |
ⓘAll figures are estimates compiled from publicly available information and are reviewed and updated regularly by the NetWorthTRP research team.
Lionel Messi's Personal Life
Messi married Antonela Roccuzzo on June 30, 2017, at the City Center hotel and casino complex in Rosario, Argentina. The couple met in Rosario during childhood in 1996 through her cousin Lucas Scaglia and currently raise three children together. In 2007, he established the Leo Messi Foundation in Barcelona to support healthcare and education programs for vulnerable youth, funding projects at Hospital Sant Joan de DĂ©u in Barcelona and UNICEF initiatives in Argentina, Kenya, and Syria. He maintains primary residences in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Castelldefels, Spain.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Net Worth Comparison
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain the two wealthiest active soccer players in 2026, each surpassing the $1 billion net worth threshold through high-value European club salaries, major shoe contracts, and international brand empires.
 Lionel Messi |  Cristiano Ronaldo | |
|---|---|---|
| Net Worth | $1.1 billion | $1.2 Billion |
| Age | 39 | 41 |
| Nationality | Argentine | Portuguese |
| Occupation | Professional Soccer Player | Professional soccer player (forward) |
| Source of Wealth | Professional Soccer, Endorsements, Commercial Investments | Soccer salaries, endorsements, CR7 business ventures |
Lionel Messi Net Worth: Frequently Asked Questions
How did Lionel Messi reach billionaire status in 2026?
Messi reached a net worth of $1.1 billion in June 2026 through cumulative pre-tax career earnings of $1.8 billion. Key wealth drivers include his lifetime apparel contract with Adidas, high-value playing contracts across Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami, and equity arrangements linked to Major League Soccer commercial partners.
What is the structure of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami contract?
Messi's agreement with Inter Miami provides base compensation alongside commercial revenue splits from Apple TV MLS Season Pass subscriptions and Adidas merchandise sales. His compensation package also grants an official option to purchase an equity ownership share in the franchise following his retirement.
What companies comprise Lionel Messi's investment portfolio?
Messi's business holdings include Edificio Rostower Socimi, a publicly listed real estate investment trust that owns the MiM Hotels chain. He also holds an equity stake in Argentine restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa and owns two soccer clubs: UE CornellĂ in Spain and Deportivo LSM in Uruguay.
How much does Lionel Messi earn from his Adidas sponsorship?
Messi signed a lifetime endorsement contract with Adidas in 2017 valued at approximately $25 million annually. The partnership includes signature shoe lines, apparel licensing royalties, and a percentage of MLS kit sales.
Sources: Forbes, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Wikipedia — Last updated October 6, 2026
Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly available information, including reported earnings, endorsements and asset values. Actual net worth may differ and is not independently verified or audited.
✉Spotted outdated or incorrect information? Let our research team know →
Net Worth Profiles Related to Lionel Messi
Other Richest Soccer Players and Their Net Worth
View all Richest Soccer Players
