Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players in the world of football. On the pitch, Messi has won almost every prestigious title a football player can have, and is currently trying to help Argentina win the World Cup in his illustrious career.

Besides, Lionel Messi is also one of the highest paid football players and is the face of many brands. So, where does Lionel Messi earn money from?

How much is Lionel Messi’s salary?

Lionel Messi became the highest-paid player in La Liga in November 2017. Messi’s last contract at Barcelona was reportedly worth £500,000 a week. Before signing that deal, Messi was estimated to be earning around £336,000 a week.

After agreeing a deal with PSG, Messi is expected to receive between 30 million and 35 million euros (765 – 893 billion VND) per season during his time playing for the Ligue 1 team. According to Insider, Messi is estimated to earn around $8,790/hour (about 217 million VND). In addition, the male player will still receive team and individual bonuses.

The Argentine also pocketed a $25 million signing-on fee when he signed for the French team last summer, the Evening Standard reported.

Photo: Getty/Franck Fife

Advertising contracts

According to Gold.com, like Ronaldo, Messi’s sponsorship deals are too numerous to list. However, perhaps one of the biggest advertising deals belongs to the shoe company, the battle between Nike (Ronaldo) and Adidas (Messi) off the field.

Months after Ronaldo signed a “long-term” deal with Nike in 2016, rumored to be similar to the lifetime deal signed by basketball star LeBron James – and potentially worth $1 billion – Messi has also signed with Adidas. The exact terms were not disclosed, but reports in Spain suggest it will last at least until the end of his playing career.

Messi has also been part of high-profile campaigns with Pepsi, Gillette and Turkish Airlines. As part of their 2019 list of the richest celebrities, Forbes valued his endorsement deals at a combined $35 million that year.

According to Insider, Messi’s off-field earnings were $55 million (1.36 trillion) last year.

Photo: Getty

What business does Lionel Messi do?

Part of Messi’s appeal is his image as a pure footballer, with little interest in a lavish lifestyle off the pitch. According to Goal.com, throughout his career, Messi has seemingly had no desire to engage in business ventures or create a personal brand.

Not known for pushing underwear, shoes and perfume lines like Ronaldo, he has invested in real estate. For example, around his birthplace of Rosario in Argentina, he has put money into the Azhares del Parana project (a collection of gated communities – a type of residential community or housing complex with strictly controlled entrances outside the city) as well as a downtown apartment building.

Messi has recently expanded his interests into lifestyle and fashion with his popular clothing store The Messi Store. He also invests in other forms of risky assets.

Messi and his wife – Photo: Getty

Huge Net Worth

According to Wealthy Gorilla, Messi’s net worth is around $600 million. According to Forbes, Messi has earned $1.15 billion in his career both on and off the field.

Only three currently active athletes—LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tiger Woods—have ever earned more. Only two athletes—Roger Federer and Floyd Mayweather—other than those mentioned above—have ever surpassed $1 billion in career earnings.