Lionel Messi, known for his extraordinary football skills, has transitioned from solely earning through matches to building a multi-billion dollar business empire. His current income is no longer tied just to the number of games played or goals scored.
Messi, now a billionaire with a net worth exceeding $1.1 billion, has accumulated around $1.8 billion throughout his career. His wealth stems not only from football earnings and endorsements but from strategic investments that capitalize on his global fame.
The most significant shift in Messi’s revenue model occurred after his move to Inter Miami. Rather than signing a conventional high-salary contract, he negotiated a package valued at approximately $70-80 million annually. However, the most lucrative aspect of this deal is his share of revenues from Apple’s MLS Season Pass subscriptions, allowing him to earn more as fan subscriptions increase—an unusual arrangement in the sports world.
A Landmark Sponsorship Agreement
An essential pillar of Messi’s fortune is his lifetime contract with Adidas, signed in 2017. Valued at around $1 billion, this deal is one of the most valuable sponsorship agreements in sports history, allowing Messi to earn substantial income without even stepping on the pitch. His endorsement deals with companies like Apple, Mastercard, Lay’s, Hard Rock, Michelob Ultra, and Pepsi contribute an estimated $70 million to his fortune.
Real Estate Ventures
For years, Messi has consistently invested in real estate, with his most significant project being Edificio Rostower SOCIMI, a real estate investment vehicle valued at about $280 million. This company focuses on luxurious commercial and residential properties in Spain and forms a crucial part of his wealth, though rarely discussed publicly.
Additionally, he has developed a chain of luxury hotels, MiM Hotels, with establishments located in Ibiza, Mallorca, Barcelona, Andorra, and the ski resort Baqueira. Although Messi does not heavily promote these investments, they are vital to his family’s business portfolio.
Messi’s private properties span several countries, with his most renowned residence being in Castelldefels, near Barcelona, featuring an expansive garden, a private football pitch, a swimming pool, and a gym. After relocating to the United States, he also acquired a luxurious estate in Miami and several apartments in the city’s prestigious skyscrapers, collectively valued in the hundreds of millions.
Luxury Vehicles and Private Jet
Messi’s car collection, while impressive, is modest compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s. It includes brands such as Ferrari, Pagani Zonda, Maserati GranTurismo, Cadillac Escalade, and several models of Audi, Mercedes, and Range Rovers, collectively valued at several million dollars. However, for Messi, cars are not his primary investment focus.
He also owns a private jet, customized for his family, which features the names of his wife Antonela and their three sons—Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro—inscribed on the steps leading to the aircraft. This jet is among the most recognizable owned by athletes.
Investing in Technology
Recently, Messi has increasingly focused on technology investments. He established Play Time HoldCo, an investment fund that finances projects related to artificial intelligence, media, sports, and gaming. Additionally, he is an investor in the platform Sorare, a co-owner of the esports organization KRÜ Esports, and a stakeholder in the restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa.
