Arguably one of the greatest ever to play football, the skipper of the Argentina football team and the winner of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Lionel Andrés Messi celebrates his 37th birthday today, i.e., June 24, 2024.
The champion player had an iconic run for FC Barcelona, winning a club-record 34 titles, which includes ten LALIGA titles, seven Copa del Rey championships, and the UEFA Champions League four times. Messi became the first player to win the Ballon d’Or four times in a row (eight overall). In the 2011–12 campaign, he became Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer and broke records in the LALIGA and European contests for the most goals in a season.
After numerous records, goals, and memories in Spain, the Argentinian moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), for a couple of seasons before moving to the Major League Soccer (MLS) club, Inter Miami a year ago.
Representing his country, he claimed the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi, a prodigious goalscorer and dynamic playmaker, leads LALIGA in goals (474), hat-tricks (36), and assists (192). Moreover, he also has the most international goals among South American men (108). Messi has almost 800 senior career goals for both clubs and his nation, including the most for a single club (672).
With the reputation of being one of the greatest football players of all time and a global celebrity, Messi has endorsed various well-known businesses during his career and performed thoroughly commercially as well. Let us look at Messi’s net worth, endorsements, investments, and charity efforts.
Net Worth:
According to Forbes, Messi’s net worth is expected to be about $650 million, with his total career earnings projected to be around $1.30 billion, with a significant portion of the credit going to his previous teams, endorsement deals, and other sources.
Messi’s Inter Miami deal is intriguing since it is reportedly valued at roughly $150 million over two years, but it also includes the chance to acquire a stake in the club and, more significantly, a part of Apple TV income from new subscriptions.
He has made enormous financial commitments to his way of living. Messi also seems to have a liking for luxury vehicles, owning an Audi R8 Spyder, Ferrari F430 Spider, and a Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.
The 37-year-old footballer also has a substantial, multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio including properties in Spain, Argentina, and the United States. Messi has been living in a $7 million house outside of Barcelona as his primary abode for the past decade.
In 2022, the football star paid around $4 million to build a large mansion in Rosario, Argentina, and $11 million to acquire a villa in Ibiza.
Endorsements:
Courtesy of an extravagant global fan following and ability to draw eyeballs, Messi has significant endorsement deals with businesses like PepsiCo, Budweiser, and adidas, with which he has a lifelong partnership.
Additionally, according to sources, Messi’s deal with Inter Miami also incorporates a profit-sharing arrangement with adidas, in which he will get a piece of any increase in the shoe manufacturer’s revenues as a result of his involvement in the MLS.
In addition to these brands, the legend has endorsement partnerships with KRÜ Esports, Royal Caribbean International, Ooredoo, Lay’s, Jacob & Co., Hard Rock International, SIRIN LABS, SikSilk, LEAFTY, Socios.com, Mengniu, Orcam, Saudi Tourism Authority, Mastercard, Bitget, BYJU’S, Sorare and J&T Express.
Investments:
In 2016, the footballer launched his global lifestyle apparel line, ‘The Messi Store’. Along with this, this month, the player also stepped into the beverage business with the launch of Mas+, his line of hydration drinks.
Furthermore, Messi has been operating MIM Hotels since 2017. The hotel network is operated by the Majestic Hotel Group, which is led by his brother. The developing hotel chain has properties in Mallorca, Ibiza, Sitges, and Baqueira.
Furthermore, Messi has made many real estate investments during the last ten years. These are estimated to generate millions of dollars in annual earnings.
Charity:
The Leo Messi Foundation, which works with UNICEF to help children all across the globe, particularly those facing health issues, is Messi’s most respectable contribution. He recently assisted UNICEF in establishing schools for 1600 war orphans in Syria as an ‘Ambassador’ for the agency.
Lionel participates in personal fundraising efforts such as international football tournaments to benefit various charities. Messi financially supports several youth football teams in Argentina, including Sarmiento, Rosario Central, Newell’s, River Plate, and Boca Juniors.