Lionel Messi has achieved a remarkable feat in his professional career. The acclaimed Argentine striker, who has already collected several titles in the sport, is now part of the select group of athletes who have achieved billionaire status while still active. It is estimated that the player’s net worth is US$1.1 billion, equivalent to around R$5 billion.
At 38 years old, Messi stands out as one of only four athletes in the world to have a billion-dollar fortune while competing at a high level. This exclusive group also includes basketball icon LeBron James, renowned golfer Tiger Woods and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. In the year of the World Cup, Messi and Ronaldo were the only two billionaires present at the tournament.
Building this wealth was a process that spanned more than two decades of a brilliant career. For 13 consecutive years, Messi’s name has been among the five highest-paid athletes on the planet.
After leading the Argentine national team to win the world title at the 2022 World Cup, with a decisive performance in the final against France, the striker faced a crucial crossroads in his career: choosing his next club, after the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
During that period, the player received a large proposal to join the Saudi League, with rumors indicating an annual income that could reach US$400 million (R$2 billion). However, the Argentine decided to move to the United States, choosing to play for Inter Miami, a team that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS).
This decision meant giving up an even higher immediate salary. In the previous season, Messi earned approximately US$70 million from his performance on the field, in addition to another US$70 million from sponsorship contracts, brand licensing and other commercial ventures.
The estimated billion-dollar fortune results not only from the high salaries accumulated over the years, but also from the appreciation of his financial assets and a strategic agreement with Inter Miami. The contract establishes the possibility for Messi to acquire a shareholding in the club after ending his career as an athlete.
With such wealth, Messi also positioned himself as the fifth richest Argentine in the global ranking of billionaires.
His choice of path in the United States reflects a model of success similar to that of David Beckham. The former English player, who ended his career playing in the country, became one of the owners of Inter Miami and, recently, also reached a net worth of US$1 billion, approximately 13 years after leaving the field.
