Everyone keeps asking about the Lionel Messi net worth like it’s a simple number on a bank statement. It’s not. Honestly, trying to pin down the exact wealth of the greatest football player to ever walk the earth is like trying to mark him in the box—nearly impossible and you're probably going to miss something.
As of early 2026, most credible financial trackers, including the latest updates from Forbes and Celebrity Net Worth, peg his net worth at approximately $850 million.
But that number feels low. Why? Because Messi isn't just a guy with a high salary anymore. He’s basically a walking sovereign wealth fund. When he moved to Inter Miami in 2023, the world thought he was going there to retire and eat empanadas on the beach. They were wrong. He was actually signing one of the most complex, lucrative, and "equity-heavy" deals in the history of professional sports.
The Inter Miami "Masterstroke" and the $150 Million Floor
You’ve probably heard he’s making about $20.4 million in guaranteed salary. That’s the "official" MLS number. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. The total value of his initial Inter Miami package was estimated at $150 million over two and a half years.
Here is where it gets crazy.
In late 2025, Messi didn't just walk away when his contract was up. He signed an extension through 2028. This deal ensures he’ll be the face of the club when they move into their brand-new home, Miami Freedom Park, in 2026.
- The Apple TV Cut: Messi gets a share of the revenue from new subscribers to the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Think about that. Every time a kid in Tokyo or a fan in Buenos Aires signs up to watch him play, Leo gets a piece.
- The Adidas Profit Share: He has a lifetime deal with Adidas (more on that later), but the Miami deal added a specific kicker: he gets a cut of the increase in Adidas profits resulting from his involvement in MLS.
- The Ownership Option: This is the big one. Much like the David Beckham deal years ago, Messi has an option for ownership in the Inter Miami franchise without a massive buy-in fee. Given that the club's valuation has skyrocketed past $1 billion since he arrived, that "option" is worth hundreds of millions on its own.
Breaking Down the Off-Field Empire
If Messi never kicked a ball again, he’d still be making more than most CEOs. His off-field earnings for 2025 alone were roughly $75 million.
His portfolio is massive. He’s got the MiM Hotels chain, which he owns in partnership with the Majestic Hotel Group. These aren't just budget motels; we’re talking high-end luxury spots in Ibiza, Mallorca, and Sitges.
Then there’s the tech side. He launched Play Time, a San Francisco-based investment firm that focuses on sports, media, and technology. He’s even got his own energy drink now, Más+ by Messi, which launched in 2024 to compete with the likes of Prime.
And don't forget the "milanesa" deal. Recently, he became an investor in El Club de la Milanesa, a massive restaurant chain from Argentina that is currently expanding all over the US and Europe. It’s a passion project, sure, but with 70+ locations, it’s also a serious cash cow.
The Lifetime Adidas Deal
Most players sign five-year or ten-year boots deals. Messi? He signed a lifetime contract in 2017. Sources suggest this pays him around $25 million annually just to wear the three stripes. It’s the kind of stability most people can’t even wrap their heads over.
📖 Related: European Ryder Cup Standings: What Really Happened at Bethpage Black
Real Estate: A Global Footprint
When you have nearly a billion dollars, you don't just stay in a Marriott. The Lionel Messi net worth is heavily anchored in some of the world's most expensive zip codes.
- The Fort Lauderdale Waterfront: Shortly after moving to Florida, he dropped $10.75 million on a massive 10,500-square-foot mansion. It’s got two boat docks (because obviously) and a pool that looks like a resort.
- The Barcelona Fortress: He still owns his $7 million mansion in the Bellamar neighborhood of Castelldefels. This is the place where he spent most of his adult life.
- The Rosario Estate: "The Fortress" in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. It reportedly has 25 rooms, a massive cinema, and an underground garage for 15 cars.
- The Sunny Isles Condo: A $7.3 million luxury unit in the Porsche Design Tower (or similar high-end buildings nearby) where cars are literally valeted into your living room via a glass elevator.
Is He a Billionaire Yet?
Technically, no. Not in terms of "liquid net worth."
However, in terms of total career pre-tax earnings, Messi crossed the $1.2 billion mark years ago. He is one of only a handful of athletes—joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods—to hit that milestone while still being an active pro.
The gap between his $850 million net worth and the billionaire status is mostly just a matter of time and taxes. With his Inter Miami equity and the World Cup 2026 being held in North America, his brand value is about to hit another peak. Experts predict he will officially cross the billionaire net worth threshold by 2027 or 2028.
The "Messi Effect" on Market Value
You can't talk about his money without talking about the money he makes for everyone else. Inter Miami’s revenue doubled in his first year. MLS sponsorships are at an all-time high.
He even makes a killing on social media. With over 500 million followers on Instagram, he’s the second most-followed human on the planet. A single sponsored post from Leo can net him upwards of $2.6 million. Basically, he can buy a luxury car by hitting "share" on a photo.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Messi is just "the football guy" and Ronaldo is "the business guy." That’s a dated take. While Ronaldo is definitely more loud about his brands, Messi has quietly built a diversified empire that is arguably more stable.
He isn't just endorsing products; he is owning the companies. He isn't just taking a salary; he's taking a percentage of the entire league's growth. It’s a shift from being a "worker" to being a "partner."
🔗 Read more: How Old Is Jason Kelce? What Most People Get Wrong About His "Retirement Age"
Key Takeaways for 2026
- Diversification is Key: From hotels to energy drinks to venture capital, he doesn't keep his eggs in one basket.
- Equity over Cash: His Inter Miami deal proves that owning a piece of the pie is always better than just taking a slice.
- Brand Longevity: By signing a lifetime deal with Adidas, he ensured a massive income stream that will last until he’s 90.
If you're looking to track your own financial growth or learn from the best, the move is to start looking at equity-based opportunities rather than just hourly or salaried pay. While we can't all be the GOAT on the pitch, we can certainly adopt the "Messi Model" of ownership.
To stay updated on these valuations, you should regularly check Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires list and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, as these figures fluctuate with the market. For more on the business of sports, following industry analysts like Joe Pompliano provides great context on how these massive athlete deals are structured behind the scenes.