Lionel Messi, the Argentine football legend, has accumulated a net worth of $850 million by 2026, ranking among the highest-paid athletes ever despite not being a billionaire.
Lionel Messi, a professional soccer player from Argentina, holds a net worth of $850 million as of 2026. Widely considered the finest soccer player in the world and among the greatest of all time, Messi stands as one of—if not the—highest-earning athletes in history. His career at Barcelona spanned from his teenage years until 2021, where he scored an impressive 672 goals in 778 matches. On August 10, 2021, it was confirmed that Messi would transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, he represents the Argentina National Team, achieving a historic victory on December 18, 2022, when they claimed the World Cup title. Despite occasional claims in less reliable sources, Lionel Messi is NOT a billionaire. Upon the conclusion of his Barcelona contract, combining earnings from salaries and endorsements, he had amassed over $1.6 billion. Of this total, roughly $1.2 billion came from salaries, while an additional $400 million stemmed from endorsement deals. Some publications misinterpreted his earnings exceeding $1 billion and incorrectly labeled him a "billionaire." At the peak of his Barcelona career, Messi held the title of the highest-paid soccer player globally. In 2017, he signed a Barcelona contract guaranteeing a base salary of $168 million. Though his contract terms were tightly kept confidential for years, Spanish newspaper *El Mundo* leaked the details in January 2021. Prior to this, his annual base salary under an earlier agreement was $44.68 million. In August 2021, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract valued at $75 million per year before taxes—approximately $40 million after deductions. His agreement also included performance-based bonuses and a share of jersey sales revenue. Beyond salaries, Messi secures an extra $70 million annually from endorsement deals. He holds a lifetime partnership with Adidas, having been sponsored by the brand since 2006. Originally, he signed with Nike at age 14 but later switched allegiances to Adidas, with whom he debuted a personalized line of soccer boots, the Adidas Messi, in 2008. For obligations two and three listed above, he receives $2 million per commitment each year. He can earn an additional $2 million annually for engaging in charitable initiatives. Over three years, summing these figures, Messi can make $25 million with minimal effort. However, there is a specific restriction: according to documents reviewed by the *Times*, Messi is prohibited from making any statements that could "damage" the reputation of Saudi Arabia. Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi grew up in a working-class family. His father, Jorge Horacio Messi, worked as a steel factory laborer, and his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, worked part-time as a cleaner. He shares a close bond with his older brothers, Rodrigo and Matias, and his sister, Maria Sol. The family often played soccer together, including his cousins Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom later became professional footballers. Messi began his soccer journey at Rosario’s local club at just six years old, playing for Newell’s Old Boys. At age ten, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, which strained his family’s finances as they could no longer afford treatment. Newell’s initially agreed to assist but later withdrew support. FC Barcelona’s Sporting Director, Carles Rexach, offered to cover the medical expenses in exchange for Messi moving to Spain. With his father’s consent, Rexach drafted a contract on a napkin, and the family relocated to Barcelona in February 2001, settling near Camp Nou, the club’s stadium. Struggling with homesickness, Messi stayed in Barcelona with his father while his mother and siblings returned to Rosario. After a year, he enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s youth program and became part of Barcelona’s famed "Baby Dream Team," a collection of exceptional young talents. Following Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, Messi scored two goals in the final against France, pushing the match into extra time and a penalty shootout. Messi established the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007, an organization dedicated to creating improved educational and healthcare opportunities for underprivileged children. The foundation’s creation followed a visit to a children’s hospital in Boston, an experience he described as life-altering. With support from Herbalife, the foundation assists with medical treatments, transportation, and recovery for children facing serious health challenges. Since March 2010, Messi has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, including a field mission to Haiti to raise awareness about children’s needs following a devastating earthquake. He also participates in individual fundraising efforts, such as organizing global football matches and supporting various charitable causes. In Argentina, Messi financially backs multiple youth football clubs, including Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Juniors. Notably, he funded the construction of a gymnasium and dormitory at Newell’s in 2012. His former coach there now works for the Messi Foundation as a talent scout for young players. In March 2020, Messi donated $1 million to aid in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside his Barcelona teammates, he agreed to a 70% salary reduction during the crisis to prevent any club employees from facing wage cuts. In 2009, Messi purchased a residence in Barcelona’s Pedrables neighborhood for $2 million, later investing millions more in renovations. The property is now valued between $7 million and $10 million. In November 2019, he acquired a Miami condominium for $5 million. By April 2021, Messi spent $7.3 million to acquire the entire ninth floor of another building in Miami. In early 2025, he finalized a purchase of four units in a Miami high-rise, with one unit priced near $7.5 million, spanning around 3,500 square feet and featuring four bedrooms. The 80-story building, under construction and set for completion in 2028, comprises 397 units alongside upscale amenities, including two pools, a members-only dining venue, a speakeasy, and catering services. Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023, already owned multiple properties in the area, including a $10.75 million waterfront estate in Fort Lauderdale and several Miami condominiums, such as one in the Porsche Design Tower. © 2026 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved