Private jets, rare cars, and investments... How much was Messi's wealth in 2026?

The Argentine star Lionel Messi, Inter Miami player, has not only achieved dozens of collective titles and personal awards during his ongoing football career, but has also amassed a huge fortune that made him one of the richest athletes in the world.

Messi accumulated his wealth from his huge earnings on the field with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, in addition to other money that may be more from sponsorship contracts and growing investments.

Messi's net worth in 2024 is estimated at about $850 million, according to the American magazine Sports Illustrated.

With this wealth, Messi ranks second among the richest active football players currently, behind Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, star of Saudi Al-Nassr, whose wealth has exceeded the billion-dollar mark.

How much does Messi earn?

Messi earned $135 million in 2024, according to data from Forbes magazine, including his salary with Inter Miami and his income from advertising and business.

This amount made Messi the fifth highest-earning athlete in the world after Dak Prescott, Tyson Fury, Stephen Curry, and Ronaldo.

Messi is currently considered the highest-paid player in the American Professional League by a large margin over the rest, as he receives a salary of up to $20.4 million annually.

The largest source of Messi's wealth

Although many consider him the best player in football history, the largest source of Messi's wealth is advertising and sponsorship contracts.

Messi receives a share of the partnership agreement between Apple TV and the American League estimated at $50 million, noting that the total value of the contract agreement is $250 million to be paid annually for 10 years.

Messi also continues his long partnership with the sportswear company Adidas since 2006, before signing another contract in 2017 linking him to the company for life at a value of approximately $25 million annually.

In addition to that, Messi has contracts with global brands such as Pepsi, Mastercard, Huawei, and others, and he also owns a stake in Inter Miami club.

Messi's investments, business ventures, and luxurious lifestyle

Messi does not rely only on advertising, but he has extensive projects and investments, most notably:

* A chain of small and luxury hotels in Spain and Andorra, numbering 6.

* An energy drink he launched in 2024 called "Más+ by Messi".

* Messi Store fashion and lifestyle store.

* Media production company "Rosario 525".

* Partnership in an Argentine restaurant chain.

* A real estate portfolio estimated at about $300 million in Barcelona, Argentina, Miami, and Ibiza.

Messi owns a collection of luxury cars, some of which are rare, such as the Pagani Zonda Tricolore luxury sports car and the Ferrari F430 Spider.

He also owns a private jet of the type Gulfstream V, worth about $15 million.

Messi's charitable works

The Argentine star founded the Lionel Messi Foundation in 2007, aiming to support education and healthcare for needy children, and he also works as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF to support children around the world.