Ranked 30th richest personality in Argentina in 2024, Lionel Messi confirms that he is much more than an exceptional footballer. The man with 8 Ballons d’Or and 2022 world champion today has a fortune estimated at $950 million according to the latest ranking Forbes Argentina. The only sportsman in this top 50 dominated by businessmen and heirs, Messi embodies the marriage between sporting performance and investment strategy.
Messi’s fortune almost doubled in four years
In 2020, Messi’s fortune was valued at $500 million. Today, this figure is close to one billion, thanks to cumulative revenues of $1.5 billion during his career until June 2024. Despite the weight of taxes, his status as a global icon and his multiple commercial partnerships allow it to maintain an impressive financial trajectory.
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has been the highest paid player in Major League Soccer, with an annual salary of $20 million. Added to this are revenues estimated at $50 million thanks to its partnership with Apple TV and the Miami franchise.
Messi also capitalizes on advertising contracts with international brands such as Adidas, YPF, Gatorade, Lay’s, Pepsi, Mastercard and even Cirque du Soleil, which dedicated a show to him. These collaborations strengthen its image while generating considerable financial windfall.
His father supports him in the management of his personal assets
Messi’s business is orchestrated by his father, Jorge Messi, who diversified the family investments in various sectors: hospitality, real estate, agriculture and fashion. These strategic choices allow the former FC Barcelona and Paris SG player to ensure the sustainability of his fortune well beyond the field.
The top 50 richest personalities in Argentina represent 12.1% of the country’s GDP, a figure up 68% compared to the last edition of the ranking in 2020. With “self-made” entrepreneurs and heirs occupying the first places, the presence of Messi illustrates the economic impact of sporting figures in a country where football is king.
Messi is not only a living sporting legend, he is also a model of financial and entrepreneurial success. His evolution of assets shows that he masters both the fields and the behind-the-scenes of the business world, while continuing to inspire millions of fans across the globe.
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