Lionel Messi achieves a historic feat that goes far beyond the pitch: the Argentine star has just entered the select and exclusive club of billionaire footballers, joining legendary names like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. This monumental financial achievement reveals not only the power of his talent on the field but also his intelligence and business acumen off it — a combination that elevates him to an unprecedented level in the world of sports.
According to recent data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Messi has surpassed the impressive barrier of one billion dollars (approximately 860 million euros) in net worth. This milestone was reached thanks to a brilliant strategy that includes his impact on Inter Miami, a club in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, and a groundbreaking revenue-sharing agreement with Apple, in addition to a diversified portfolio of business ventures.
The secret to Messi’s financial success
After turning down a multi-million-dollar offer from Saudi Arabia in 2023, Messi chose to join Inter Miami, a decision that, according to Bloomberg, has proven to be a masterstroke. Since 2007, the Argentine has accumulated over 700 million dollars (around 600 million euros) in salaries and bonuses. When taxes, investment income, sponsorships, and financial market performance are factored in, his net worth now exceeds one billion dollars.
The current contract of Messi is not limited to a high base salary. It also includes a significant share of the revenues generated by subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV—a groundbreaking partnership whose financial details have yet to be fully disclosed—and a considerable percentage of Adidas product sales, boosted by his global stardom.
Empire off the pitch
Messi is not just an icon on the field; his influence extends to multiple businesses that solidify his financial empire. The Argentine has strategic partnerships with renowned brands in the sports goods, beverages, snacks, credit cards, and even in the audiovisual production and hospitality sectors. More recently, he has also invested in the acquisition of a club in Spain, diversifying and strengthening his portfolio.
The impact of Messi on Inter Miami is notable. The club’s valuation has skyrocketed to figures between $1.2 billion and $1.45 billion (€1.03 billion and €1.25 billion), a growth directly associated with the phenomenon and popularity of the Argentine star. To secure his financial future, Messi maintains an option to acquire a significant stake in the club after his retirement, thereby ensuring a lasting legacy both on and off the pitch.
Messi joins an exclusive club
With this achievement, Lionel Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo, who first reached billionaire status thanks to his contract with Al-Nassr and his CR7 brand, and David Beckham, another example of a self-made success who built his fortune through image management, ownership of the Miami club, and sponsorship deals. These three athletes are rare exceptions in the world of football, as they have attained billionaire status solely through a combination of sporting talent and smart entrepreneurship.
Lionel Messi, the Argentine genius, proves that his brilliance extends beyond the playing field. Now, his story is also that of a global business phenomenon that redefines the concept of success in sports.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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