Lionel Messi became the second footballer whose net worth exceeded one billion dollars

Lionel Messi has conquered another giant milestone in the world of football. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

According to data published by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the 38-year-old Argentine forward's total net worth has surpassed $1 billion. As a result, Messi has entered football history as the second athlete to become a billionaire after his lifelong rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

This achievement reflects not only Messi's talent on the pitch but also his global influence and financial power. The Argentine star has long amazed football fans with his magic and consistent play, and now he has also risen to the very top of the sports world financially.

According to the One.uz website, during his career, Messi has earned over $700 million from salaries at Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami, as well as various bonus payments. Moreover, his long tenure at the Catalan club made him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

However, Messi's wealth was not built solely from his on-field activities. His lifetime contract with Adidas, as well as collaborations with Apple, Pepsi, and other major international brands, significantly boosted his income.

Additionally, Messi's stake in Inter Miami played an important role in his financial growth. In 2023, he rejected a huge financial offer from Saudi Arabia and chose to move to the American continent.

Although many initially viewed this decision with skepticism, today it proves to be wise from both a sporting and business perspective. Earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to reach billionaire status thanks to his contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

David Beckham is also mentioned in this list, but he reached such a level after retiring from sports, through business ventures. Messi, however, achieved this status while still actively playing on the field.

This situation once again confirms that Messi is not just a holder of goals and trophies, but a global mega-brand. Lionel Messi has officially joined the ranks of billionaires, opening a new chapter in football history.