Hello, Football fans! If you love following the Football and admire world-class, Lionel Messi is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, known for his incredible dribbling, vision, and goalscoring consistency at Barcelona, Paris Saint‑Germain, Inter Miami, and the Argentina national team. By 2025, he is a global sports icon with a massive fanbase, huge commercial value, and a net worth estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Lionel Messi’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
| Full Name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
| Nickname | “La Pulga” (The Flea), Leo, The G.O.A.T |
| Date of Birth | June 24, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years old |
| Place of Birth | Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentina |
| Height | 1.70 meters (5’6″ or 5’7″) |
| Weight | 147-148 lbs |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Turned Professional | 2004 |
| Net Worth | $850 million |
| Annual Salary | $50-60 million |
| Spouse | Antonela Roccuzzo |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | Three sons: Thiago, Mateo, Ciro |
| Instagram Profile | @leomessi |
Early Career
Messi’s formal football journey began at age seven when he joined the youth ranks of Newell’s Old Boys, a prominent club based in his hometown of Rosario. His natural talent was apparent from the beginning, as his diminutive stature never hindered his exceptional ball control and passing ability. Recognizing his immense potential, Barcelona’s scouts invited the 13-year-old Messi and his family to Spain in 2000.
He joined the legendary La Masia youth academy, where he trained alongside future superstars like Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, and Gerard Piqué. At just 16 years old, in the 2003-04 season, Messi made his unofficial debut in a friendly match against Porto. His official La Liga debut came on October 16, 2004, against Espanyol, making him Barcelona’s youngest player in an official competition at 17 years and three months.
Professional Career
Messi’s professional journey has been nothing short of legendary. After his La Liga debut in 2004, he quickly graduated through Barcelona’s teams and became a regular fixture in their squad. From 2005 onwards, he emerged as one of the world’s best players, winning numerous awards and setting countless records.
During his 21 seasons at Barcelona (2004-2021), Messi scored an astounding 672 goals in 778 appearances across all competitions, winning 35 trophies including 10 La Liga titles and 4 UEFA Champions League titles. His peak performances came between 2008-2012, when he won four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards. In 2021, after Barcelona’s financial constraints prevented his contract renewal, he joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
He spent two seasons in France, winning Ligue 1 twice and contributing to PSG’s Champions League journey. In July 2023, Messi shocked the world by rejecting a lucrative Saudi offer to join Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer, becoming a transformational figure in the league.
Wife
Messi’s personal life centers around his devoted family. He married his childhood sweetheart, Antonela Roccuzzo, on June 30, 2017, in his hometown of Rosario. Antonela was born on February 26, 1988, and has become a successful model, businesswoman, and social media influencer in her own right. The couple first met as children in Rosario and maintained a close bond throughout their lives. They began dating officially in 2008 when Messi reconnected with Antonela after years apart. The couple had their first son, Thiago, in November 2012, while still unmarried.
Their second son, Mateo, was born in September 2015, and their third son, Ciro, arrived in March 2018. Messi has frequently expressed that fatherhood has profoundly changed his perspective on life and helped him grow as a person both on and off the pitch. The family relocated to Miami in July 2023 following his transfer to Inter Miami, and they have since settled well into their new home in South Florida.
Lionel Messi’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Lionel Messi’s net worth has reached an estimated $850 million, nearly doubling from previous years and representing a $200 million increase from 2024. His wealth accumulation reflects his extraordinary career earnings, strategic business investments, and lucrative endorsement deals. During his Barcelona years (2004-2021), the club paid him more than $650 million before taxes in salary and bonuses.
His four-year contract signed in 2017 was particularly generous, reportedly worth over $674 million with a $135 million signing bonus and $91 million loyalty payment. His PSG contract from 2021-2023 provided approximately $75 million gross annually ($41 million net) plus a $30 million signing bonus and significant image rights revenue. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has earned approximately $50-60 million annually from his base salary, bonuses, Apple TV revenue sharing, and Adidas merchandise cuts. Off the field, his endorsement portfolio generates $50-70 million per year, driven primarily by his lifetime Adidas deal valued at approximately $22 million annually with total potential value exceeding $1 billion.
Contract
Messi recently signed a three-year contract extension with Inter Miami that keeps him with the club through the 2028 MLS season. The extension was announced on October 22, 2025, and comes ahead of Inter Miami’s new state-of-the-art stadium opening in 2026 at the Miami Freedom Park development. While specific financial terms weren’t disclosed, Messi has been the highest-paid player in MLS since his arrival, earning $20.4 million in guaranteed annual compensation.
His initial contract with Inter Miami (2023-2025) was valued at over $150 million across 2.5 years and included a substantial signing bonus plus equity in the franchise upon his retirement. The equity stake is particularly valuable, as it gives him ownership interest in Inter Miami if the club’s value continues to appreciate with the league’s growing popularity. Additionally, Messi benefits from a separate agreement with Apple TV that provides him with additional compensation based on his role in driving subscriptions to MLS Season Pass. He’s expected to remain the league’s highest-paid player under his new extension.
Career Earnings
| Period | Team | Annual Salary | Bonuses & Other | Total Annual | Total Period |
| 2004-2008 | Barcelona | Varying (young player) | Performance bonuses | ~$500K-$2M | ~$8 million |
| 2008-2012 | Barcelona | $35-52 million | Loyalty bonuses | $60-75 million | ~$280 million |
| 2012-2017 | Barcelona | $52 million | Performance/image rights | $70 million | ~$375 million |
| 2017-2021 | Barcelona | $161 million | $135M signing + $91M loyalty | $674 million | $674 million |
| 2021-2023 | PSG | $41 million net | $30M signing + image rights | $75 million | ~$150 million |
| 2023-2025 | Inter Miami | $20.4 million | Signing bonus + equity | $50-60 million | ~$120 million |
| 2025-2028 | Inter Miami | $20.4+ million | To be determined | $50-60+ million | $150-180 million |
| Career Total (Pre-Tax) | — | — | — | — | $1.8+ billion |
Endorsements
Messi’s endorsement portfolio is as impressive as his on-field achievements, featuring partnerships with global brands across multiple industries:
- Adidas – Lifetime deal (partnership since 2006) worth approximately $25 million annually, involving custom footwear, apparel, and product development collaboration
- Louis Vuitton – Luxury fashion partnership featuring exclusive collections and brand ambassadorship
- Pepsi and PepsiCo – Long-standing agreement spanning over a decade with multiple commercial campaigns
- Mastercard – Financial services partnership with global brand visibility
- Gatorade – Sports beverage endorsement as part of broader PepsiCo portfolio
- Budweiser – Alcoholic beverage sponsorship in select markets
- Gillette – Men’s grooming products including razors and shaving cream
- Jacob & Co – Luxury watch brand targeting high-net-worth individuals
- SikSilk – Fashion collaboration blending sports culture with urban streetwear style
- Huawei – Technology and telecommunications partnership
- Air Europa – Airline brand ambassador since 2007
- Lay’s – Snack food brand endorsement through PepsiCo
- Tata Motors – Automobile industry partnership
- Sirin Labs – High-tech privacy-focused smartphone products
- OrCam – Assistive technology for visually impaired individuals supporting social causes
- Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) – Video game franchise featuring Messi as cover star
- Mengniu – Dairy and food industry partnerships
- Byju’s – Educational technology platform
Career Records
| Record Category | Achievement | Notes |
| All-Time Goals | 896 goals | Club and country combined, most official recorded goals |
| All-Time Assists | 407+ assists | Most official recorded assists in football history |
| La Liga Goals | 474 goals | All-time record in Spanish top division |
| Champions League Goals | 129 goals | One of highest scorers in competition history |
| International Goals | 115 goals | Argentina all-time top scorer (as of November 2025) |
| Hat-Tricks | 60+ career | 36 in La Liga, 8+ in Champions League, 10 for Argentina |
| Ballon d’Or Awards | 8 awards | Most for any player in history |
| Best FIFA Player Awards | 3 awards | Top individual honors in football |
| vs Cristiano Ronaldo (H2H) | 16 wins to 11 | 36 competitive matches, 22 goals scored by Messi |
| La Liga Top Scorer | Multiple seasons | 7 times La Liga Pichichi (top scorer award) |
| Golden Shoe Awards | 6 awards | European award for top league goalscorer |
| Most Consecutive 25+ Goal Seasons | 9 seasons | 2009/10-2017/18 in La Liga |
| Supercopa de España Goals | 14 goals | Tournament record |
| Goals in 2012/13 Season | 46 La Liga goals | Set modern La Liga single-season record |
| Free-Kick Goals | 35+ in La Liga | Among most accurate free-kick takers ever |
FAQs
1. How much does Lionel Messi earn per year in 2025?
Lionel Messi earns approximately $50-60 million annually from his Inter Miami base salary, bonuses, and Apple TV revenue sharing, plus an additional $50-70 million from endorsement deals, bringing his total annual income to roughly $100-130 million before taxes. His guaranteed base compensation from Inter Miami is $20.4 million per year, making him consistently the highest-paid player in MLS.
2. What is Messi’s actual playing height and does it affect his performance?
Messi stands at 1.70 meters (approximately 5’6″ to 5’7″), making him one of the shortest elite football players in the world. Rather than being a limitation, his height provides distinct advantages: lower center of gravity for superior agility, faster acceleration, and exceptional ball control in tight spaces. His diminutive stature has never hindered his effectiveness and is often cited as a factor in his dribbling prowess.
3. How many children does Messi have and what are their names?
Messi has three sons with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo: Thiago (born November 2, 2012), Mateo (born September 11, 2015), and Ciro (born March 10, 2018). All three sons were born before Messi’s marriage to Antonela in 2017, though the couple had been in a committed relationship. Messi has frequently stated that fatherhood significantly changed his perspective and helped him mature as a person.
4. When did Messi turn professional and at what age?
Messi officially turned professional in 2004 at just 16 years old when he made his La Liga debut for Barcelona on October 16, 2004, against Espanyol. He came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute, becoming Barcelona’s youngest player ever in an official competition at 17 years and three months. However, he had made his unofficial debut in a friendly against Porto in 2003 at age 16.
5. What is Messi’s religious faith and how does it influence his life?
Messi is a devout Roman Catholic, having been raised in Argentina’s strong Catholic tradition. He has frequently spoken about his faith being a source of strength and guidance throughout his life. He possesses several religious tattoos, including an image of Jesus Christ and a rosary. Messi has met Pope Francis on multiple occasions and has been involved in charitable work through his foundation focusing on disadvantaged children’s health and education.
6. How many trophies has Messi won throughout his career?
Messi has won 46 major trophies throughout his professional career, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey trophies, 4 Champions League titles, 3 UEFA Super Cups, 3 Club World Cups, and 1 FIFA World Cup (2022). With Argentina, he’s also won 2 Copa América titles (2021, 2024) and an Olympic Gold Medal (2008). He holds the record for most trophies won by any individual player.
7. What makes Messi’s head-to-head record against Cristiano Ronaldo significant?
Messi and Ronaldo have faced each other 36 times in competitive matches since 2008, with Messi winning 16 matches to Ronaldo’s 11, plus 9 draws. Messi has scored 22 goals in their encounters compared to Ronaldo’s 21, but more impressively, Messi created 11 goals for teammates versus just 1 from Ronaldo. This head-to-head superiority, combined with Messi’s individual awards (8 Ballon d’Ors vs 5), reinforces arguments for his status as the greatest player of their generation.
8. How has Messi impacted Major League Soccer since joining Inter Miami?
Since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, Messi has dramatically transformed MLS’s global profile and commercial success. His Inter Miami No. 10 jersey broke US single-season sales records within weeks. In 2024, he led Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield championship, setting an MLS single-season record for total points. Inter Miami won the 2025 MLS Cup, validating Messi’s impact on the team’s success. His presence has significantly increased MLS viewership, merchandise sales, and international attention to the league.
9. What is the significance of Messi’s Instagram following and social media presence?
Messi’s Instagram account (@leomessi) has 506.7 million followers as of 2025, making him the second-most-followed person on the platform after Cristiano Ronaldo (662 million). More remarkably, Messi holds the record for the most-liked Instagram post in history, with over 75.5 million likes on his celebratory post following Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup victory. His social media presence generates significant endorsement revenue and maintains constant global engagement with his fanbase.
10. What are Messi’s most notable individual season performances?
Messi’s greatest individual season came in 2011-12, when he scored 73 goals in 60 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona, a single-season record. In La Liga specifically, his record stands at 50 goals in the 2011-12 season. During 2012-13, he scored 46 La Liga goals and achieved 92 goal contributions total. More recently, in the 2025 MLS season, Messi scored 43 goals with 28 assists in 49 games for Inter Miami, demonstrating his continued elite performance at age 38.