The financial tabloids: Is Messi a billionaire? In 2025, as his legend keeps growing in MLS and beyond, the line between superstar and billionaire feels tantalizingly close. In this article, AnnuGoal will accompany you through Messi’s earnings, assets, endorsements, and financial trajectory — and find out whether he’s officially cracked that billion-dollar threshold.
Messi’s Net Worth 2025: What the Numbers Say
When you search “Lionel Messi net worth 2025,” a recurring figure emerges: around $850 million. Many sources estimate Messi’s net worth in 2025 to hover at or just under that level.
- Some report that over his career, Messi has pulled in more than $1.3–1.6 billion in gross earnings, combining salaries, bonuses, and endorsements.
- Yet, after taxes, expenses, investments, and liabilities, his net worth stays slightly below $1 billion.
So in the purest sense: he has earned the revenue of a billionaire, but his net worth doesn’t yet officially classify him as one.
That said, many financial analysts believe it’s only a matter of time before he does cross the threshold.
Major Income Streams: How Messi Built His Fortune
On-Field Earnings & Contracts
Messi’s playing salary and contract bonuses have been the backbone of his fortune since his earliest days at Barcelona.
- At Inter Miami, his reported annual compensation reaches tens of millions, combining base salary, signing bonus, and even equity stakes.
- Past contracts in Europe (Barcelona, PSG) were astronomical, though many included deferrals, taxes, and club financial constraints.
These deals alone account for a large chunk of his lifetime earnings—though not all translate into liquid net worth.
Endorsements, Sponsorships & Image Rights
One of Messi’s most lucrative assets is his deal with Adidas: a lifetime endorsement contract that gives him a steady, often multi-year income.
His brand is also backed by global companies in apparel, electronics, beverages, and media.
Image rights, licensing deals, and merchandise cuts further pad his revenue every year.
Investments, Business Ventures & Assets
Messi doesn’t just live off contracts and endorsements — he invests. Among his ventures are:
- Real estate: luxury properties in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Argentina, and Spain
- Hotel investments / hospitality sector
- Holding companies and investment funds
- Equity in Inter Miami, which may appreciate as the club’s valuation grows
These ventures carry risk and liquidity constraints, but also high upside.
Why He’s Not (Yet) a Billionaire
With all that cash flow, why hasn’t Messi been declared a billionaire? Several factors play in:
- Taxes and fees: High-earning athletes pay significant taxes, agent fees, and management costs.
- Expenses and lifestyle: Luxury homes, art, travel, cars — these drain sums faster than many imagine.
- Non-liquid assets: Equity stakes, real estate, and investments are valuable — but converting them into cash often isn’t immediate.
- Valuation and liability: Debt, liabilities, liabilities tied to contracts, and market risk can offset asset value.
Thus, even if gross lifetime earnings surpassed a billion, net worth is a different story.
The Road Ahead: Will Messi Become a Billionaire?
With his net worth already around $850 million and continuing cash inflows, the odds look strong.
Future catalysts include:
- Further appreciation in Inter Miami’s value
- Expansion or flips in real estate and hospitality projects
- Continued premium endorsement deals
- Smart tax and asset management strategies
If Messi times it right, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him officially enter the billionaire club within a few years. Some analysts and media outlets already speculate that he’s “on the cusp” — and the gap between $850 million and $1 billion is narrowing.
Messi vs Ronaldo: A Billionaire Comparison
Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are often pitted against each other — and in many discussions, that includes their wealth.
- Ronaldo has claimed (via media) that he crossed the $1 billion milestone in career earnings.
- But like Messi, his net worth may still fall just short if accounting for costs, taxes, and asset structure.
- In rankings of highest-paid athletes for 2025, Messi earns around $135 million total (salary + endorsements), placing him among the top.
So while both have careers that generate billionaire-scale revenue, claiming true billionaire status depends on net calculations.
Key Figures at a Glance
| Category | Approximate Value / Insight |
| Estimated net worth (2025) | ≈ $850 million |
| Lifetime gross earnings | Over $1.3 to $1.6+ billion |
| Annual income (2025) | Around $135 million (salary + endorsements) |
| Major assets | Real estate, hotel ventures, equity in Inter Miami |
| Primary endorsements | Adidas lifetime deal, licensing, image rights |
These figures point to a superstar among athletes — though not yet a confirmed billionaire.
Final Thoughts
Is Messi a billionaire? Not quite — at least not yet. His net worth in 2025 is still estimated below the $1 billion mark, though he’s firmly in billionaire-earnings territory. With further growth in investments, club valuation, and endorsements, crossing that threshold is entirely plausible in the near future.
Now that AnnuGoal has walked you through Messi’s earnings, assets, and financial prospects: what do you think — will he be a billionaire by 2026? Drop your prediction in the comments, and stay tuned for our next deep dive into football’s richest stars.
