How Lionel Messi Became Football’s Second Billionaire

Lionel Messi’s dominance on the football field has translated into extraordinary financial success. According to reporting tied to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the Argentine superstar’s net worth has surpassed $1 billion, making him the second footballer after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach billionaire status.

The milestone reflects nearly two decades of elite contracts, massive global endorsement income, and an unusually structured business partnership with Major League Soccer through Inter Miami.

More Than $700 Million in Football Salary

A Bloomberg-based analysis cited by multiple outlets estimates that Messi has earned more than $700 million in salary and bonuses since 2007.

Those earnings accumulated across three major stages of his club career.

Barcelona (2004–2021)
Messi spent most of his career at FC Barcelona, where he signed several record-setting contracts while leading the club through one of the most dominant eras in modern football.

Paris Saint‑Germain (2021–2023)
Barcelona’s financial crisis forced Messi to leave in 2021. Paris Saint‑Germain signed him to another lucrative contract that kept him among the highest‑paid players in the sport.

Inter Miami (2023–present)
His move to Major League Soccer introduced a compensation structure unlike most traditional player deals, blending salary with commercial partnerships and long‑term financial upside.

Even so, salary alone does not explain Messi’s billionaire status. A significant share of the value comes from the structure of his MLS contract and his global sponsorship deals.

The Inter Miami Deal That Changed Athlete Contracts

Messi’s agreement with Inter Miami is widely viewed as one of the most innovative contracts in modern sports.

The deal has been reported as worth up to about $150 million over roughly two and a half years, combining salary, signing bonuses, and the possibility of an equity stake in the club.

Base Salary

Inter Miami reportedly pays Messi about $50–60 million per year in direct salary.

Total Annual Compensation

When commercial participation and ownership-related value are included, Inter Miami co‑owner Jorge Mas has said Messi’s total annual compensation reaches roughly $70–80 million per year.

Apple MLS Season Pass Revenue Sharing

Another unusual feature of the deal is a revenue‑sharing arrangement tied to Apple’s MLS Season Pass streaming platform.

Apple and Major League Soccer signed a 10‑year, $2.5 billion global media deal, and reporting indicates Messi receives compensation tied to new subscriptions generated by the platform.

This structure effectively links part of his income to the league’s global growth.

Potential Equity in Inter Miami

Messi’s contract also reportedly includes an option to acquire equity in Inter Miami, giving him potential long‑term financial upside if the club’s value increases.

Taken together, the arrangement functions less like a traditional athlete contract and more like a strategic business partnership.

Turning Down a Massive Saudi Offer

Before choosing Inter Miami, Messi was heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Multiple reports say he rejected a proposal worth roughly $400 million per year.

While the precise details were never officially confirmed, the reported figure illustrates the scale of guaranteed income Messi declined in favor of a deal that offered broader commercial potential in the United States.

Endorsements: A Massive Revenue Engine

Off‑field income has been one of the largest drivers of Messi’s wealth.

Recent earnings estimates based on Forbes summaries show:

• About $70 million in off‑field income in 2024
• Around $75 million in off‑field income in 2025

These revenues come from sponsorships, licensing deals, and global brand partnerships. Over many years, Messi’s endorsement income has frequently rivaled—or even exceeded—his playing salary.

Investments and Net Worth Growth

Career earnings alone do not automatically produce billionaire net worth. Bloomberg‑linked reporting indicates Messi’s fortune reflects investment performance, sponsorship income, and other assets, alongside his football wages.

Public coverage also points to real estate and other investments contributing to his financial portfolio, although detailed public breakdowns remain limited.

Messi and Ronaldo: Football’s Billionaire Era

Messi’s financial milestone highlights the expanding commercial scale of elite football.

Current reporting indicates:

• Cristiano Ronaldo became the first football billionaire.
• Lionel Messi is widely reported as the second player in the sport to reach that level.

Both achieved the milestone through a combination of record‑breaking playing contracts, enormous global brand power, and business partnerships that extend far beyond the pitch.

The Formula Behind Messi’s Billion‑Dollar Fortune

Several factors combined to push Messi past the billion‑dollar threshold:

• Career football wages: more than $700 million in salary and bonuses since 2007.
• Global endorsements: roughly $70–75 million per year in recent off‑field income.
• An innovative MLS partnership: including Apple streaming revenue participation and a potential Inter Miami equity stake.
• Investments and sponsorship income that helped convert career earnings into long‑term net worth.

Together, these elements turned one of the greatest careers in football history into one of the most lucrative athlete business stories in modern sports.