The Argentine professional footballer Lionel Messi has an estimated net worth of around $600 million as of 2023.
Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the greatest football players ever. He is one of the greatest ever to play the beautiful game and is among the most famous athletes on the planet.
Messi has shattered numerous records, won accolade after accolade, and inspired millions worldwide with his magical skills and humble persona both on and off the pitch. As captain of his national team and star player for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi’s career has defined an era in football.
Table of Contents
Lionel Messi Net Worth
According to Forbes, Lionel Messi has an estimated net worth of $600 million as of 2023. That makes him one of the richest footballers in the world currently.
Messi’s massive net worth is built on his salaries and lucrative endorsements. He was Barcelona’s highest-paid player, with a yearly salary of over $80 million. At Paris Saint-Germain, his salary is reportedly around $54 million annually.
Messi has signed advertising deals with brands like Adidas, Pepsi, Budweiser, Turkish Airlines, Ooredoo, Gatorade and more. He earns an estimated $65 million per year from endorsements. His deal with Adidas alone is worth $19.2 million annually.
Other significant sources of income include his luxury real estate portfolio and startup investments. Messi owns properties in Spain, Argentina, and Florida. He has invested in companies like lifestyle brand Olyseum and blockchain startup Socios. com.
Despite his immense wealth, Messi leads a relatively frugal lifestyle and is known for his generosity. He uses some of his fortunes for charitable work through his Leo Messi Foundation, which provides opportunities for underprivileged children.
Early Life and Education
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. He was the third of four children born to Jorge Messi and his wife, Celia Cuccittini. Messi’s father worked as a steel factory manager, while his mother was a part-time cleaner.
Messi grew up in a tight-knit, middle-class family. He started playing football young, and his talent was soon apparent. However, at 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that threatened his career. His local club, River Plate, declined to pay for the treatment, but FC Barcelona spotted his talent and agreed to cover the medical costs if he played for them.
So, at the age of 13, Lionel Messi relocated to Spain with his father to start training in Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia. While continuing his soccer education, he also attended school in Barcelona and learned Spanish. Although initially shy and homesick, Messi adapted quickly to his new life in Spain with focus and determination.
Despite leaving formal education after high school to pursue his football career, Messi educated himself through relationships with coaches and learned essential life skills such as discipline and perseverance through his training.
Career Beginnings
Lionel Messi’s professional football career started at FC Barcelona. As a young teenager, he quickly made an impact at La Masia, Barcelona’s prestigious youth academy.
Messi’s skill was evident from a very early age. At 14, he was one of the top scorers for the junior teams. By 16, he had debuted for Barcelona B, the club’s reserve team.
On 16 November 2003, at the age of 17 years and 114 days, Messi made his first team debut for Barcelona against Porto. Wearing the number 30 jersey, he became the youngest player to ever play for Barcelona in an official match.
In the 2004–05 season, Messi marked his first season with the senior squad. He got his first taste of silverware when Barcelona won La Liga that season. The following year, he won the team’s first UEFA Champions League trophy.
Still only 18, Messi was called to the Argentine national team in 2005. He was Argentina’s youngest player at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. A succession of muscle injuries hampered his first few seasons, but he continued to improve and impress with his pace, skill, and vision.
By 2008, 21-year-old Messi was an established starter for Barcelona. In 2009, he helped the team achieve the historic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League under manager Pep Guardiola.
Salary and Earnings
Lionel Messi was among the highest-paid footballers during his peak years at Barcelona and currently earns a substantial salary at Paris Saint-Germain.
In 2017, Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona that paid him a massive weekly salary of €565,000 ($673,000). His annual base salary at Barcelona exceeded €40 million ($46.5 million).
With bonuses and brand endorsements, Messi was earning close to €80 million ($93 million) every year during his last few seasons at Barcelona, as per reports. This amount made him the best-paid footballer for several years.
In 2021, Messi signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona as a free agent. His annual salary at PSG is reportedly around €41 million ($47.8 million). When including bonuses and endorsements, Messi’s total earnings could reach €75 million ($88 million) per year with the French club.
According to Forbes’ 2022 list of highest-paid athletes, Messi earned $130 million between May 2021 and May 2022. Out of this, $55 million came from endorsements and partnerships, while $75 million was from salary and bonuses.
Personal Life
Messi has been in a relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo since 2008. Roccuzzo and Messi have known each other since childhood in their hometown of Rosario. They got married in 2017 and have three sons – Thiago (born in 2012), Mateo (born 2015) and Ciro (born 2018).
Messi runs the Leo Messi Foundation, which gives opportunities to vulnerable children. He has also been a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF since 2010.
Despite his fame and fortune from football, Messi leads a relatively lowkey private life with his family while also engaging in philanthropic endeavors.
Messi’s Playing Style & Legacy
Lionel Messi is famous for his exceptional dribbling skills, ball control, creativity, and ability to beat opponents one-on-one. He is 5 feet 7 inches and has a short, lean physique with exceptional balance and agility. Messi often takes on defenders and creates clever assists and finishes. He is predominantly a left-footed player who also has a strong right foot.
Messi plays in a free, creative role as a forward or winger. His style combines flair, vision, tactical intelligence, and phenomenal scoring ability. His low center of gravity allows him to change direction and accelerate quickly to surpass opponents.
Off-Field Personality & Commercial Appeal
Despite being one of the most famous athletes in the world, Messi is famous for being quiet, humble, and private off the field. He maintains a low-profile lifestyle centered around family. He has often stated that his priority is football and not celebrity fame.
However, Messi’s success, shy persona, and reputation as a family man make him an appealing icon for brands. He has held lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Adidas, Pepsi, Turkish Airlines, etc.
According to Forbes, Messi ranks among the world’s highest-paid athletes, with earnings of $130 million in 2022, including $55 million off the field from endorsements and partnerships.
FAQs on Lionel Messi Net Worth
How many trophies has Messi won?
Messi has won 41 club and individual trophies during his career so far. With Barcelona, he won 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa Del Rey trophies, and 4 UEFA Champions League titles. He has also won a record 6 Ballon d’Or awards.
What is Messi’s height and weight?
Messi has a small physique for a footballer at just 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall and 72 kg in weight. His low center of gravity and lightweight give him exceptional agility.
Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi is one of the most legendary footballers of all time. His jaw-dropping skills, numerous trophies, and record-breaking goalscoring feats cement his place in football history. Off the field, he is a private family man who leads a relatively lowkey lifestyle despite his fame and wealth.
Messi’s humble nature, work ethic, and clean image have made him an influential figure and role model to many. As he continues playing in his mid-30s, Lionel Messi remains motivated by his love for football and drive for excellence. He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest footballers ever when he finally decides to hang his boots.
