Lionel Messi retires from Argentina's national team at 39, leaving behind a legacy of 126 goals, 208 appearances, and a net worth of $1.1 billion, fueled by football contracts, endorsements, and business ventures.
Lionel Messi has a habit of turning dreams into reality on the soccer field and increasingly in business too, as is clear from his net worth. In fact, on the field, Messi's Argentina career ended almost exactly as a football romantic might have dreamt it: a goal, and two amazing assists that led to a 3-0 win over Benin at Buenos Aires' Monumental. At 39, Messi walked away from the national team after 21 years, leaving behind 208 appearances, 126 goals and a legacy that changed from years of criticism to national adoration, sealed by Copa America and World Cup triumphs. Does it put him on the same pedestal as the legendary Diego Maradona? Well, that is a story for another day.
The goodbye also comes at an interesting point in Messi's financial life. Forbes' real-time billionaire profile values his net worth at $1.1 billion. Messi is still playing club football for Inter Miami, but his Argentina chapter is now closed. Here are the 8 wealth creating assets behind Lionel Messi's wealth.
Messi's current money count stands at $1.1 billion, with the figure listed as his real-time net worth by Forbes. It also estimates his career earnings at around $1.8 billion from playing contracts, endorsements, memorabilia and business ventures before taxes and agents' fees.
And there is a familiar name sitting just above him - Cristiano Ronaldo at $1.2 billion, making him $100 million richer than Messi. The two football icons are now both billionaires, adding a financial chapter to one of sport's defining rivalries.
Lionel Messi's Football Contracts
Messi's career earnings from playing contracts are about $1.2 billion before taxes and fees. He first appeared on Forbes' highest-paid soccer players list in 2008 with an estimated $11.9 million, ranked 18th. His Barcelona deal for 2017 to 2021, leaked and later published by El Mundo, showed pay of roughly $177 million in the 2017-18 season alone. He spent 17 seasons at Barcelona and two at Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter Miami Salary And Revenue-Sharing
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas told Bloomberg in March that he pays Messi $70 million to $80 million a year. The MLS Players Association lists his guaranteed pay this year at $28.3 million, more than double the next-highest figure in the league. Soccer insiders say he adds to that through revenue-sharing arrangements with MLS partners Adidas and Apple TV. Notably, he passed on a Saudi Pro League offer rumoured to be as high as $400 million a year.
An Option To Own Part Of Inter Miami
His move to Miami came with the option to acquire an equity stake in the club once he retires. The club's value has risen from $600 million before he arrived to a league-high $1.35 billion in Forbes' 2026 ranking, and Inter Miami won the MLS Cup in 2025. David Beckham, a minority owner of the club, reached $1 billion in net worth 13 years after he retired from playing.
The Adidas Lifetime Deal
Messi's relationship with Adidas has been one of the most enduring commercial partnerships in sport. He moved from Nike to Adidas in 2006 and signed a lifetime agreement with the German brand in 2017. Forbes lists Adidas among his major sponsors, while reported estimates have put the deal at around $25 million annually. The latter is a reported figure rather than a confirmed figure.
Endorsements, Sponsorships And Sponsored Posts
Messi has earned more than $600 million from endorsements, memorabilia and other business ventures. Mastercard, Michelob Ultra and Lay's are among more than a dozen active partnerships. Apple, Beats by Dre, Epic Games, Hard Rock, Konami, Lowe's, Panini, PepsiCo and YPF are among his sponsors.
Messi is the second most-followed person on Instagram and it was once estimated each sponsored post could earn him about $2.7 million.
Real Estate Through Edificio Rostower Socimi
In 2024 Messi launched a publicly listed real estate investment trust, Edificio Rostower Socimi, which has a market cap of $282 million. Its holdings include the six-storey Rostower building in Barcelona, a warehouse in Sitges, a restaurant in Castelldefels and homes in Paris and London.
A Stake In MiM Hotels
Through that same trust, Messi holds a stake in MiM Hotels, a boutique chain of six properties in Spain and Andorra.
Football Clubs, Restaurants And Other Ventures
Messi owns Uruguay's Deportivo LSM, founded last year with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez, and UE Cornella, a fifth-tier Spanish club he bought in April for an undisclosed sum. He is also a partner in the Argentine restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa.
How much is Lionel Messi net worth?
Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.1 billion.
Has Messi retired from football?
No. He retired from the Argentina national team on August 31, 2026 and still plays for Inter Miami.
How much does Messi earn at Inter Miami?
Owner Jorge Mas says $70 million to $80 million a year. The MLS Players Association lists $28.3 million in guaranteed pay for 2026.