With his unparalleled dribbling skills, visionary passing, and phenomenal finishing, Lionel “Leo” Messi has cemented himself as one of the greatest football players of all time. Though small in stature at 5’7″, Messi’s larger-than-life achievements on the pitch have earned him immense fame and fortune. But how much is the Argentinian maestro worth? Let’s explore Messi net worth and how he built his empire.
Humble Beginnings
Born in 1987 in the modest city of Rosario, Argentina, Messi grew up in a close-knit family. His father worked at a local steel factory while his mother was a cleaner. Football ran in Messi’s blood from a young age. His talent was undeniable, even as a toddler. However, at age 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that threatened his budding career.
His local club, Newell’s Old Boys, couldn’t afford the $1,500 per month for the treatments. It was then that Argentinian scout Josep Maria Minguella learned of Messi’s immense potential and arranged a trial at Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia. Impressed by his skill, Barcelona offered to pay for Messi’s medical treatments on one condition – that he move to Spain.
So, at just 13 years old, Messi and his father uprooted their lives in Rosario and made the European dream a reality. Far from the fame and flashy cars, Leo’s story epitomizes rising up from humble beginnings by sheer talent, grit, and some timely help.
Rising Through the Ranks
Under the watchful guidance of La Masia coaches, a young Messi honed his game and adjusted to his new life abroad. It wasn’t long before he was dominating on the youth squad, attracting attention from first-team manager Frank Rijkaard. After being named player of the tournament in a youth event at age 16, Messi was promoted to feature for the senior Barcelona side.
On October 16th, 2004, at 17 years and 114 days old, he became the youngest player to represent the Catalan club professionally. Early on, he didn’t demand an extravagant salary, simply happy for the opportunity to play with legends like Ronaldinho. But little did he know, in just a few years’ time, Messi would become a Barcelona legend himself.
Ballon d’Or Glory
The 2005-2006 season was Messi’s real breakout year. Under the mentorship of Ronaldinho, young Leo began showcasing the electrifying dribbling and ruthless finishing that has become his trademark. He quickly established himself as a star, earning his first Ballon d’Or nomination.
Though Ronaldinho took the honors that year, Messi’s four goals against Arsenal, including one stunning lob, announced the Argentine teen as a global superstar in the making. At just 19 years old, the sky was the limit.
Over the next decade, Messi elevated himself into the pantheon of all-time greats. Powered by his lethal left foot, he spearheaded Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona side. As La Pulga (“The Flea”), Messi terrorized defenses with otherworldly dribbling skills, unlocking matches that seemed deadlocked.
Four Ballon d’Or trophies and over 40 club titles later, Leo had more than delivered on his early promise. With golden generations in both club and country, trophies flowed as freely as his goals. By 2019, Messi had firmly cemented his G.O.A.T status, reflected in his ever-rising income.
Blockbuster Contracts
Lionel Messi’s first professional contract paid him £500 per week, including bonuses. Not bad for a young prospect, but far below the first-team stars. However, Messi was never one to rest on his achievements. His consistently stellar performances forced the club into better deals after only a year or two.
By 2008, fresh from delivering Barcelona’s first Champions League in over a decade, Messi signed an improved 5-year contract worth a reported £7.8million per season. His contributions justified the salary, including scoring in both the 2009 and 2011 Champions League final wins.
After inking Messi to yet another extension in 2010, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell called Leo “the best player in the world and the best in Barcelona’s history.” His pay rose accordingly – to over £1million per month excluding bonuses.
In 2017, Messi put pen to paper on the blockbuster deal that made him soccer’s highest-paid player. The numbers were eye-watering even for someone of his stature:
- £500,000 weekly salary after tax
- £59.6million per year with bonuses
- 4-year deal worth over £235million
For Barcelona, these astronomical amounts were well worth securing their star man during his peak years. Even as Messi entered his 30s, his output never dropped with 654 goals for the club (and counting).
Now into the autumn of his career, Leo may take a nominal pay cut in his latest Paris Saint-Germain contract. But with his trophies, records, endorsements, and investments, Messi has already earned enough wealth to last a dozen lifetimes over.
King Midas of Endorsements
Even with millions flooding his bank account from Barcelona, Lionel Messi understood the importance of diversifying income early on. Off the pitch, he racked up lucrative endorsement deals from the biggest brands on Earth. As Messi’s fame grew globally, sponsors lined up to have his golden left boot promote their products.
Sportswear giants Adidas won the war to sponsor Messi’s feet, signing him at age 14 to a deal that exploded in value as his career took off. In 2006, they extended his contract to eleven years. By 2018, Messi’s improved lifelong deal was worth a staggering £22.75million per year plus royalties.
But Adidas isn’t his only major endorsement deal. Here are some other sponsors adding millions yearly to Messi’s pockets:
- Pepsi – Multi-year beverage contract since 2010 worth £3.26million annually
- Gillette – Signed in 2010 for £1.4million per year to promote their razors globally
- Turkish Airlines – Multi-million contract since 2010 to be their global brand ambassador
- Ooredoo – Telecoms firm paying £2.4million annually since 2013
- Gatorade – £15.5million 3-year deal inked in 2020
Eclipsing Pele & Maradona
Adding it all up, Celebrity Net Worth estimate Lionel Messi’s current net worth at approximately £310million. After breaking record after record, he also became soccer’s first on-field billionaire in 2020.Messi’s income eclipses legends like Pele and Maradona.
According to Goal, Pele topped out during his playing days around £2.5million total. Diego Maradona netted a maximum of £4.5million annually during the 1980s and 90s. Most players would retire happy with even 1% of Messi’s career earnings!
But more than the money, Leo’s motivation has always been an endless pursuit of excellence in the sport. Perfecting that lethal left foot shot-by-shot during training, pushing his tiny frame to outwork larger opponents, mastering free-kicks from impossible angles. In short, striving to become the greatest the game has ever seen.
Breaking records almost every season, Messi made that lofty goal a reality in 2019 by surpassing his once-unassailable mark of 91 goals in a calendar year. At 34 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down his assault on the history books just yet.
With his recent move to Paris Saint-Germain, the twilight years of Messi’s career already resemble a victory lap. Having conquered all of Spain with Barcelona for the better part of two decades, the Parisians hope his magic dust can finally deliver the Champions League trophy they so desperately crave.
If this author had to guess, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Messi’s spell in the French capital end like many stories do – with him holding silverware aloft while the crowd chants his name. After all, that’s how most of his fairy tale career has gone so far.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi has come a long way from the tiny, growth-hormone-deficient boy that left Rosario. His natural genius elevated him into a global icon, earning fame and fortune beyond most people’s wildest dreams. With £310million to his name and counting, it’s safe to say Messi’s net worth reflects the enormous impact he’s had on soccer.
Records are made to be broken. But as Messi himself keeps raising the bar to astronomical heights, his lifetime on-field earnings may never be surpassed. Certainly not by someone with his uniquely humble beginnings, but just like choosing the right futsal ball size for optimal performance on the court, Messi’s legendary rags-to-riches story will echo through the years as a timeless source of inspiration for young fans everywhere.
