In 2023, Lionel Messi signed with Inter Miami, a team in Major League Soccer, and a lot of the discussion that followed was about money. If you are wondering what is lionel messi networth, Forbes and other outlets have estimated it at roughly $600 million as of 2024, with some trackers giving a somewhat higher or lower figure. As always, this is an estimate, and it is built from reported salaries, endorsement deals and business interests that are not all public.
The club career
Messi spent more than twenty years at the top of football. He rose through the youth system at FC Barcelona and stayed until 2021, when financial problems at the club prevented a contract renewal. He then moved to Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons before joining Inter Miami in 2023. He also won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, a long-awaited achievement that boosted his standing even further.
Over those years, his salary was reported to be among the highest in the sport. Barcelona contracts were widely reported to be worth several hundred million euros over the length of the deal, and leaked documents in Spain described a very large contract in 2017. The amounts after tax are less clear.
The off-field money
For top players like him, endorsements are a major part of earnings. Forbes has often estimated that he earns tens of millions of dollars each year from sponsors. He has a long-running relationship with Adidas, reported to be a lifetime agreement, and has worked with companies in consumer goods, technology and finance. His Inter Miami arrival also came with unusual terms, which leads to the next point.
The Inter Miami structure
His MLS contract was reported to include a base salary that is below what he earned in Europe, supplemented by other elements. According to widely reported accounts, these included a share of revenue from Apple’s subscription service for MLS matches and a share of Adidas revenue tied to the club, as well as a path to ownership in the club after he retires. The exact terms are private, but this equity potential is part of why analysts think his wealth may continue to grow after he stops playing.
Business ventures
He also has a hotel business, MiM Hotels, which has properties in Spain, and he has been reported to hold investments in real estate and other ventures. His charitable work is run through the Leo Messi Foundation, which focuses on health and education programs for children.
How the what is lionel messi networth number is estimated
- Reported base salaries and bonuses across his clubs.
- Estimated endorsement income based on Forbes and similar reports.
- Value of business stakes, which are often guesses.
- Deductions for taxes, agents, and living costs.
Each of these is imprecise, so the sum is, too. That is why you might see $500 million on one site and $650 million on another.
Comparing him with other football stars
Cristiano Ronaldo is often named alongside him, and Forbes has reported that Ronaldo’s earnings were higher in some years, particularly after his move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are also high earners. Rankings shift with contracts, so I would say that Messi and Ronaldo have consistently been at or near the top of football’s pay scale for over a decade.
Legacy and long-term earning power
Messi’s value to sponsors does not end when he stops playing. Athletes of his stature often remain commercially valuable for decades through ambassadorships, brand partnerships and ownership roles, and his Inter Miami arrangement points in that direction. His 2022 World Cup win also strengthened his case as one of the greatest players ever, which tends to support endorsement value long after retirement. That long tail is one reason some analysts expect his wealth to keep rising even if his playing salary falls.
Why estimates change
A few things can shift the numbers: a new contract, a bigger sponsorship, the valuation of Inter Miami (which has increased as the club has grown), and changes in tax treatment across countries. Estimates also lag behind events, so a figure may not reflect the latest deals.
The simple answer
To answer what is lionel messi networth in one line: reported estimates sit at about $600 million as of 2024, based on a long career of record-level pay and a large endorsement portfolio, plus potential equity in Inter Miami. These numbers are estimates and will change over time, so check the date and the source whenever you see one.
