How Much Is Leo Messi’s Net Worth in 2025? A Complete Breakdown

Are you wondering how much Leo Messi’s net worth is in 2025? The Argentine superstar, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, has built an extraordinary fortune over two decades of dominance on the pitch and smart financial moves off it. As of 2025, Messi’s net worth is estimated between $850 million and $1.15 billion, depending on how you calculate his investments, endorsements, and career earnings. In this article, you’ll discover the sources of Messi’s wealth, his major contracts, his business ventures, and whether he is officially on track to become football’s first billionaire.

What Is Leo Messi’s Net Worth in 2025?

The exact figure varies depending on the source, but most reliable estimates put Leo Messi’s net worth at around $850 million as of 2025. Some financial analysts argue his net worth could be as high as $1.15 billion if you include the market value of his business holdings and his share in Inter Miami. Regardless of the number, Messi stands among the wealthiest athletes in the world, rivaling his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo and surpassing most of his contemporaries.

His earnings come from a combination of club contracts, endorsement deals, lifetime sponsorship agreements, business ventures, and investments. Over his career, Messi has earned more than $1.3 billion in gross income from football salaries and sponsorships. Even as he approaches the twilight of his career, he continues to generate wealth at a staggering pace thanks to his brand value and off-field ventures.

How Did He Build That Wealth? Salary and Club Deals

One of the biggest drivers of Leo Messi’s net worth has been his football contracts. During his time at FC Barcelona, Messi signed several record-breaking deals, including the famous 2017 contract that leaked in 2021, reportedly worth over $600 million across four years. This deal remains one of the richest contracts in sports history and solidified Messi’s status as not only Barcelona’s greatest player but also one of the best-paid athletes in the world.

After leaving Barcelona in 2021, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a free transfer. His two-year deal with PSG was valued at around $75 million per season including bonuses. Although his time in Paris was relatively short, it further added to his career earnings.

In 2023, Messi shocked the football world by turning down offers from Saudi Arabia to join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami. His contract with Inter Miami is worth around $60 million annually in base salary and bonuses, but what makes it remarkable is the added perks. Messi negotiated revenue-sharing agreements with Apple TV, Adidas, and a partial ownership stake in the club. This deal not only ensures a massive income stream now but also long-term financial security after retirement. Inter Miami’s valuation has already risen significantly since his arrival, and Messi’s equity in the club could be worth hundreds of millions in the future.

Endorsements and Lifetime Deals

If his club contracts built the foundation of his fortune, endorsements and lifetime deals helped push Leo Messi’s net worth toward the billion-dollar mark. His most lucrative partnership is with Adidas, which has sponsored him since 2006. In 2017, Messi signed a lifetime contract with Adidas, rumored to be worth up to $1 billion. The deal ensures he will earn at least $25 million annually from Adidas alone, making it one of the richest endorsement agreements in sports.

In addition to Adidas, Messi has partnered with PepsiCo, Budweiser, Mastercard, Jacob & Co., Huawei, Socios.com, Gatorade, and many others. His brand appeal is global, with companies eager to leverage his clean reputation, humility, and universal popularity. In 2023, he signed deals with Apple and Hard Rock International, further cementing his influence beyond just football fans.

Altogether, endorsements contribute between $50 million and $70 million annually to his earnings, keeping him consistently on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Business Ventures, Investments, and Equity Stakes

Beyond playing and endorsements, Messi has expanded his wealth through smart business ventures. His most notable investment is his stake in Inter Miami, which could prove to be as significant to his financial legacy as his playing contracts. Inter Miami’s valuation has already exceeded $600 million since Messi joined, and with his 10% ownership stake, his equity could one day be worth $200 million or more.

Messi has also invested heavily in real estate. He owns luxury properties in Barcelona, Rosario (his hometown), Miami, and Paris. In addition, he operates MIM Hotels, a boutique hotel chain in Spain managed by the Majestic Hotel Group. The hotels, located in Sitges, Ibiza, Mallorca, and Andorra, reflect his long-term focus on the tourism sector.

Messi has also launched “Play Time,” a sports-tech venture capital fund that invests in startups across media, sports, and technology. More recently, he partnered with beverage company Más+, expanding into lifestyle branding. These projects demonstrate that Messi is preparing for financial growth even after he hangs up his boots.

How Messi’s Net Worth Compares to Other Athletes

Comparisons between Messi and other top athletes are inevitable, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo. As of 2025, Ronaldo’s net worth is estimated at around $610 million, though some reports push it higher with his massive salary from Saudi club Al-Nassr and his CR7 brand empire. Still, Messi’s combined contracts, endorsements, and equity stakes likely give him a financial edge.

In the broader sports world, Messi is neck and neck with athletes like LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and Roger Federer, who also have net worths near or above $1 billion thanks to decades of dominance and brand partnerships. What makes Messi unique is his ability to combine football earnings with a long-term strategy that includes ownership stakes, lifetime deals, and diversified investments.

Could Messi Become a Billionaire?

One of the most common questions about Leo Messi’s net worth is whether he will officially become a billionaire. The answer is very likely yes, if he has not already achieved it. Depending on how you count his assets and investments, some sources already list him as worth over $1 billion. If you calculate conservatively, his net worth is closer to $850 million, but with his Inter Miami stake appreciating, his Adidas lifetime deal paying out annually, and his continued endorsements, crossing the $1 billion mark is simply a matter of time.

Even after he retires from professional football, Messi’s financial future looks secure. Like Michael Jordan with Nike and the Chicago Bulls, Messi could see his equity in Inter Miami skyrocket over the next decade. His brand, unlike many athletes, has remained untarnished, giving him enduring appeal that will keep him marketable for years to come.

Closing Thoughts

For you, the lesson in Messi’s story is about more than numbers—it’s about building wealth through both talent and strategy. Messi maximized his peak earnings but also invested in ventures that will outlast his playing days. Whether or not you follow football, you can appreciate how discipline, humility, and long-term planning turned a boy from Rosario into not just a legend on the pitch but also one of the wealthiest athletes of all time.