From Football Star to Smart Investor

Since 2009, when he picked up his first Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi’s name has been tied to football greatness. The Argentine wizard lit up pitches around the world. Small in stature but massive in impact, the ex-Barcelona star left defenders baffled and fans in awe. His smooth dribbling and killer vision turned him into one of the best to ever play the game.

Messi’s story is all about talent and mentality. On the pitch, he’s a genius. Off it, he’s become a sharp entrepreneur. It’s all part of the journey that’s built his case as the GOAT, and a legacy that continues to grow.

His business moves show the same focus and leadership he has in football. Messi’s brand mixes his Rosario roots with global ambition, and it’s working.

How Much Has Messi Earned in His Career?

Messi’s staggering fortune emanates from decades of top-tier football contracts. These have been married up with astronomical endorsements and clever investments. The combination of these sources has cemented his status and wealth. 

Salary, Endorsements, and Bonus Income

Salary

Goal reports that when Lionel Messi extended his Barça contract in 2017, the four-year deal was worth €555 million (£491m/$674m). This headline figure translates to earnings of about €138m (£112m/$167m) per season.

According to Forbes, when Messi signed for PSG from Barcelona in the summer of 2021, he put pen to paper on a two-year deal, earning him €30 million ($32.6 million).

The Miami Herald noted that his deal at Inter Miami will see Lionel Messi earn $20,446,667 in guaranteed compensation in 2025. This figure comes with a base salary of $12 million.

These examples reveal how Messi has drawn significant value from his top-tier football contracts throughout his career.

Endorsements

A report by Business Insider in 2021 showed that Messi made $33 million annually in endorsements. This figure includes agreements with Adidas, Gatorade, and Pepsi. The core campaigns making up Messi’s portfolio, according to this report, include:

Bonus Income

Forbes shared that the 38-year-old Lionel Messi had a salary/winnings of $60 million in 2025 and endorsements worth $75 million. The rise of this income from $33 million to $75 million in four years is a testament to how the Messi brand continues to grow. 

Most of Messi’s bonus income comes from sponsorships and commercial partnerships. In the MLS, Forbes notes that some of his biggest sponsors include Adidas, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Apple, and Beats by Dre. Others include Bitget, Epic Games, Hard Rock Cage Inc., Konami, Lowe’s, Mastercard, PepsiCo, and Royal Caribbean Group.

Real Estate: Messi’s Favourite Investment Vehicle

Property forms the bedrock of Messi’s assets. An article by Yahoo Finance shows that he has a $232 million real estate portfolio through his company Edificio Rostower Socimi. 

Included are a private estate outside Barcelona, luxury properties in Miami, and a palatial retreat in Ibiza. These are symbols of opulence and family-oriented lifestyle planning.

Messi’s holdings comprise seven hotels in Spain and Andorra, according to Reuters. He also has apartments in London and Paris, shops, offices, and houses.

Messi and Inter Miami: Business

The star is reportedly earning up to $150 million over a 2.5 year contract at Inter Miami, according to ESPN. These earnings come with a $12 million base salary and a total compensation of $20.4 million.

With the acquisition of Messi, Inter’s revenue has seen a dramatic increase. The income flow has nearly doubled since his arrival. Projections indicate that revenue exceeded $200 million in 2024, as noted by ESPN.

In 2022, following the star’s arrival, the club generated between $50-$60 million. These figures surged to between $120 and $130 M in 2023. In 2024, the team projected to earn more than $200 million.

Messi’s entrance also led to a proliferation of multi-year deals. These include partnerships with JPMorgan Chase, Audi, Duracell, Lowe’s, Visa, and LaCorix. ESPN shared that the players’ Inter Miami CF jersey was the best-selling sports jersey in the Adidas sports portfolio in 2024.

The numbers show that Lionel Messi and Miami FC form a mutually beneficial partnership. With Inter’s upside, Messi negotiated the MIM hotels integration in club hospitality. This move earned him luxury branding rights across South Florida’s booming tourism sector. This deal exemplifies how his entrepreneurship mirrors his on-field evolution. He is steadfast in endurance and adaptive to new markets.

Messi vs Ronaldo, LeBron, and Federer – Comparing to Other Athlete Investors

Cristiano Ronaldo leans hard into fashion lines and NFTs. LeBron James champions media studios. Messi’s approach remains disciplined and favours investments in properties and hospitality. According to Reuters, his portfolio also includes select NFT drops, like the Messiverse NFT crypto art collection.

Roger Federer balances his tennis legacy with high-end watch collaborations. These different deals demonstrate how athletes translate fame and influence into diversified wealth portfolios.